Alert archive / Utah / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 29, NWS Salt Lake City, UT

July 18, 2026Kane County, Utah

NWS Salt Lake City, UT issued this flash flood warning at Jul 18, 2026, 4:35 PM MDT for Kane County, Utah. It was in force for 3 hr. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Jul 18, 2026, 4:35 PM MDT (22:35 UTC)
Expired
Jul 18, 2026, 7:45 PM MDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Salt Lake City, UT
Area
Storm-based polygon
Damage threat
Considerable
Flood severity
None

County Kane County, UT

The radar

The Cedar City radar (KICX), 98 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:34 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jul 18, 7:00 PM MDTFLASH FLOOD19 W Big Water, UTParia Contact Station reported flash flooding in Buckskin Gulch and Wire Pass.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched one storm report to this flash flood warning; the first came 145 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Las Vegas, NV (KVEF), launched 12:00Z, 10.6 hours before the alert went out and 324 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Las Vegas, NV at 12:00Z on 2026-07-18Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 283 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Las Vegas, NV at 12:00Z on 2026-07-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -38 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
283 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-250 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1672 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
1 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-38 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
43 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

269 
WGUS55 KSLC 182235
FFWSLC
UTC025-190145-
/O.NEW.KSLC.FF.W.0029.260718T2235Z-260719T0145Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
435 PM MDT Sat Jul 18 2026

The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  South Central Kane County in southern Utah...

* Until 745 PM MDT.

* At 435 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain in the headwaters of washes that flow into Wire Pass 
  and Buckskin Gulch. Between 0.25 and 1 inch of rain has fallen. 
  Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms
           producing flash flooding.

  SOURCE...Radar.

  IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of normally dry washes
           and slot canyons

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Wire Pass and Buckskin Gulch

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

Stay away or be swept away. River banks and culverts can become 
unstable and unsafe.

Flooding is occurring or is imminent. It is important to know where 
you are relative to streams, rivers, or creeks which can become 
killers in heavy rains. Campers and hikers should avoid streams or 
creeks.

&&

LAT...LON 3701 11211 3714 11207 3705 11186 3701 11185

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE

$$

GM
2 follow-up statements
724 
WGUS75 KSLC 190032
FFSSLC

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
632 PM MDT Sat Jul 18 2026

UTC025-190145-
/O.CON.KSLC.FF.W.0029.000000T0000Z-260719T0145Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Kane UT-
632 PM MDT Sat Jul 18 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM MDT THIS 
EVENING FOR SOUTH CENTRAL KANE COUNTY...

At 632 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms produced 
between 0.25 and 1 inch on the headwaters of Wire Pass and Buckskin 
Gulch. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing
         flash flooding.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of normally dry washes
         and slot canyons

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Wire Pass and Buckskin Gulch

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

Stay away or be swept away. River banks and culverts can become 
unstable and unsafe.

Flooding is occurring or is imminent. It is important to know where 
you are relative to streams, rivers, or creeks which can become 
killers in heavy rains. Campers and hikers should avoid streams or 
creeks.

&&

LAT...LON 3701 11211 3714 11207 3705 11186 3701 11185

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE

$$

GM
124 
WGUS75 KSLC 190147
FFSSLC

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
747 PM MDT Sat Jul 18 2026

UTC025-190157-
/O.EXP.KSLC.FF.W.0029.000000T0000Z-260719T0145Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Kane UT-
747 PM MDT Sat Jul 18 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR SOUTH CENTRAL KANE COUNTY...

The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a 
threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.

A Flood Watch remains in effect until 1200 AM MDT for portions of 
southern and southwest Utah.

&&

LAT...LON 3701 11211 3714 11207 3705 11186 3701 11185

$$

BW

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Salt Lake City, UT wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Jul 18, 12:15 PM MDT, 4 hours 20 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 18, 12:15 PM MDT, 4 hours 20 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
1215 PM MDT Sat Jul 18 2026

.KEY MESSAGES, Issued 1213 PM MDT Sat Jul 18 2026...

- Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop across
portions of central, southern, northeast UT, and southwest WY each
afternoon within this forecast as monsoonal moisture continues
making its way north.

- The risk for flash flooding continues across the majority of the
forecast area, highlighted by WPC with a Marginal Risk (1/4) of
exceeding flash flood guidance each day encompassing nearly all of
UT. A Slight Risk (2/4) of exceeding flash flood guidance exists
across southern UT this afternoon, Sunday afternoon across
southwest UT, and Tuesday afternoon across southwest UT.

- A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect for southern UT and portions
of Central UT this afternoon, ending around midnight. Additionally,
another Flash Flood Watch has been issued for southern UT and
portions of central UT tomorrow afternoon.

&&

.DISCUSSION, Issued 1213 PM MDT Sat Jul 18 2026...
 The monsoonal pattern persists across the
southwest as broad ridging remains overhead. Beneath this ridge,
PWATs in excess of 1" continue to overspread most valley locations
with southwest UT potentially exceeding 1.6" PWATs once again this
afternoon. Daily chances for showers, thunderstorms, and potentially
flash flooding continue for the foreseeable future across southern
and central UT with this pattern in place. Modest moisture return
continues to push across northern UT, though most storms have
remained anchored to the terrain further east each afternoon due to
drier PBL conditions across northwest UT valleys and considerably
weaker steering flow. This brings great uncertainty to the
forecast each day, keeping PoPs generally 10% or less across most
of the Wasatch Front and northwest UT. Some deeper boundary layer
moisture may build into the area Monday afternoon, though
considerable uncertainty remains.

With PWAT anomalies statewide once again ranging from 0.5" to nearly
1" this afternoon, the threat for flash flooding is expected to
continue across southern and central UT. Tall, skinny CAPE profiles
(potentially in excess of 1000J/kg) with a deeper warm cloud layer
supports yet another round of efficient rainmakers with heavy rain
expected from well established storms. The stronger instability axis
with CAPE values >= 1000J/kg once again resides across southwestern
UT, supported by both SPC Mesoanalysis and current CAM guidance,
with storms expected to initiate along higher terrain and propagate
down terrain toward the instability gradients. A similar failure
mode to yesterday exists across southeast UT where cold pool
development and eastward propagation leads to strong CIN as storms
propagate southwest, resulting in shallower convection with eastern
extent favoring weaker storms. A few wetter storms are still
possible, though not nearly as widespread as coverage is forecast
across southwest UT.

Forecast guidance continues to hone in on the monsoonal pattern
persisting with weak steering flow aloft continuing as ridging
remains overhead through the remainder of the forecast period.
Sunday and Tuesday stand out in particular as robust mid-level
moisture rides along the southern periphery of the ridge into
southern UT, reflected by the WPC Slight Risk (2/4) for excessive
rainfall for each respective day. Monday has some potential for more
isolated flash flooding, though drier mid-levels may hinder vertical
extent of these storms and moisture quality overall.

&&

.AVIATION, Issued 1213 PM MDT Sat Jul 18 2026...
KSLC, Issued 1213 PM MDT Sat Jul 18 2026...
VFR conditions are expected over the KSLC
terminal through the TAF period alongside showers and isolated
thunderstorm development over the nearby high terrain. Northwesterly
winds will dominate through at least 01z, with a 20% chance for
erratic outflow winds to impact the airfield between 00-03Z.
Easterly winds are possible for a brief period between 01-03z, with
a 40% chance these don't materialize and the typical shift to
diurnal southeasterlies appears around 03-04z.

REST OF UTAH AND SOUTHWEST WYOMING...Scattered showers and
thunderstorms will continue across the southern half of the area
today, with more isolated coverage across the northern area. Storms
producing heavy rainfall may drop VIS to MVFR thresholds. Across the
northern portion of the airspace, storms will be capable of
producing gusty and erratic outflow winds to 30 kts throughout the
afternoon, primarily at HCR and EVW. Coverage of showers and
thunderstorms will become more isolated through the evening. Outside
of any outflow winds, anticipate diurnally driven flows across all
terminals.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...Monsoonal moisture continues to surge north
into UT increasing humidities while raising chances for showers and
thunderstorms across the state, both serving to moderate fire
weather conditions. Chances for showers and thunderstorms remain
highest across central and southern UT, high terrain across northern
UT, and the Uintas ranging from 60-90%. A wetting rain remains
favored this afternoon across each mentioned location. Expect
showers and thunderstorms to develop along higher terrain parallel
to I-15 each afternoon over the next several days around 1200-1300
with gusty outflow winds, heavy rainfall, and lightning. Winds will
generally remain light terrain driven / diurnal over the next
several days.

&&

.SLC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
UT...Flood Watch until midnight MDT tonight for UTZ122>128.

     Flood Watch from Sunday afternoon through Sunday evening for
     UTZ122>128.

WY...None.
&&

PUBLIC...Worster
AVIATION...Verzella
FIRE WEATHER...Worster

For more information from NOAA's National Weather Service visit...
http://weather.gov/saltlakecity

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 18, 11:14 AM MDT, 5 hours 21 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
1114 AM MDT Sat Jul 18 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0330 PM     Flash Flood      Bicknell                38.34N 111.54W
07/17/2026                   Wayne              UT   Broadcast Media

            Video shared from broadcast media of a flash
            flood wave and debris out of Sunglow canyon
            crossing the road near Bicknell. Time
            estimated.

1100 PM     Flash Flood      2 W Leeds               37.24N 113.39W
07/16/2026                   Washington         UT   Other Federal

            USGS gauge on Leads Creek showed flash
            flood, rising 1.5 feet.

0615 PM     Flash Flood      3 SSE Pine Vly          37.38N 113.48W
07/17/2026                   Washington         UT   Other Federal

            USGS gauge on the Santa Clara River near
            Pine Valley rose 3 feet in 15 minutes with
            flood wave moving down the river.

0745 PM     Flash Flood      2 W Leeds               37.24N 113.39W
07/17/2026                   Washington         UT   Other Federal

            Leads creek rose a foot with flash flood.

0900 PM     Flash Flood      2 SSE Central           37.40N 113.62W
07/17/2026                   Washington         UT   Other Federal

            USGS gauge on Santa Clara River above Baker
            Dam rose 2.5 feet in 15 minutes with flash
            flood wave moving down the river.

&&

The office that day

Everything else NWS Salt Lake City, UT issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 17, 6:17 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLCCache28 min
Jul 17, 6:18 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisorySLCSalt Lake57 min
Jul 17, 6:53 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatSLCWashington3 hr
Jul 18, 11:54 AM MDTFlood WatchSLCBeaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane, Piute, Sevier and 2 more36 hr
Jul 18, 1:16 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatSLCKane, Washington4 hr
Jul 18, 3:44 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatSLCPiute, Sevier3 hr
Jul 18, 3:48 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatSLCBeaver5 hr
Jul 18, 5:53 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSLCKane, Washington37 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Utah, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.