Alert archive / Utah / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 30, NWS Salt Lake City, UT

July 18, 2026Washington County, Utah

NWS Salt Lake City, UT issued this flash flood warning at Jul 18, 2026, 8:23 PM MDT for Washington County, Utah. It was in force for 3 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Jul 18, 2026, 8:23 PM MDT (02:23 UTC)
Expired
Jul 18, 2026, 11:00 PM MDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Salt Lake City, UT
Area
Storm-based polygon
Damage threat
Considerable
Flood severity
None

County Washington County, UT

The radar

The Cedar City radar (KICX), 63 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:26 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.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched one storm report to this flash flood warning; the first came 0 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

Flgstf/Belemont, AZ (KFGZ), launched 00:00Z, 2.4 hours before the alert went out and 226 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, Flgstf/Belemont, AZ at 00:00Z on 2026-07-19Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 138 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Flgstf/Belemont, AZ at 00:00Z on 2026-07-19The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 51 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
138 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-43 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1075 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
22 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
51 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
65 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
-0.6

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

115 
WGUS55 KSLC 190223
FFWSLC
UTC053-190500-
/O.NEW.KSLC.FF.W.0030.260719T0223Z-260719T0500Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

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

The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Southeastern Washington County in southwestern Utah...

* Until 1100 PM MDT.

* At 823 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. 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 creeks and streams,
           urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Hildale.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3705 11290 3700 11293 3700 11299 3700 11300
      3700 11310 3709 11294 3707 11290

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

$$

BW
1 follow-up statement
991 
WGUS75 KSLC 190503
FFSSLC

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
1103 PM MDT Sat Jul 18 2026

UTC053-190513-
/O.EXP.KSLC.FF.W.0030.000000T0000Z-260719T0500Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Washington UT-
1103 PM MDT Sat Jul 18 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR SOUTHEASTERN WASHINGTON 
COUNTY...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3705 11290 3700 11293 3700 11299 3700 11300
      3700 11310 3709 11294 3707 11290

$$

Webber

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, 5:21 PM MDT, 3 hours 2 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 18, 5:21 PM MDT, 3 hours 2 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
521 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...

KSLC...Convection chances further diminish into late Saturday
evening, with winds favored to trend SE through the overnight (~10-
20% chance more easterly briefly). Cloud cover will linger, but
remain VFR generally above 10 kft. Sunday will see a similar
forecast progression with winds expected to shift NW ~17-19Z, and
low chances (10-20%) or convection directly impacting the terminal.
Indirectly, there will still be potential for gusty erratic outflows.

REST OF UTAH AND SOUTHWEST WYOMING...Ongoing convection will wane
through the evening, with remnant outflows resulting in periods of
variability to winds at area terminals. Terminals eventually settle
out more diurnally normal to light and variable, with lingering VFR
cloud cover. The forecast Sunday is not too dissimilar to that of
previous days. Anticipate winds to initially trend diurnally normal,
with afternoon convection developing along the high terrain and then
spreading to adjacent areas in time. Aside from brief periods of
reduced CIGS/VIS from any stronger storms directly atop a terminal,
this activity will bring potential for gusty and erratic outflow
winds through the day.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER, Issued 1215 PM MDT Sat Jul 18 2026...
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...Warthen
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, 5:34 PM MDT, 2 hours 49 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
534 PM MDT Sat Jul 18 2026

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

0500 PM     Flash Flood      1 E Bicknell            38.34N 111.52W
07/17/2026                   Wayne              UT   Law Enforcement

            *** 5 FATAL ***
            Wayne County Sheriff reports 5 deceased in
            wash near Sunglow Campground, believed to
            have fallen victim to flooding from heavy
            rainfall.

&&

DEC
Special weather statement, Jul 18, 6:32 PM MDT, 1 hour 51 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
632 PM MDT Sat Jul 18 2026

UTZ124-128-190100-
South Central Utah UT-Zion National Park UT-
632 PM MDT Sat Jul 18 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern
Washington and western Kane Counties through 700 PM MDT
...

At 632 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Apple Valley, or 7 miles north of Colorado City, moving southwest at
15 mph.

HAZARD...Half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Zion National Park, Apple Valley, Hildale, Springdale, and Rockville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead
to localized flooding. If outdoors, seek higher ground now. Do not
drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3714 11315 3721 11298 3707 11286 3699 11301
      3700 11307
TIME...MOT...LOC 0032Z 060DEG 12KT 3710 11300

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<40 MPH

BW
Local storm report, Jul 18, 7:21 PM MDT, 1 hour 2 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
721 PM MDT Sat Jul 18 2026

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

0345 PM     Debris Flow      4 WNW Marysvale         38.46N 112.32W
07/18/2026                   Piute              UT   Emergency Mngr

            Reports of debris flowing through the Deer
            Creek drainage of the Silver King burn scar
            area due to heavy rain in the terrain.
            Debris from the flow did not reach the
            highway.

&&

STW
Local storm report, Jul 18, 7:28 PM MDT, 55 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
728 PM MDT Sat Jul 18 2026

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

0345 PM     Debris Flow      6 E Manderfield         38.34N 112.53W
07/18/2026                   Beaver             UT   Law Enforcement

            Law enforcement cameras showed debris
            flowing through the North Creek drainage of
            the Cottonwood burn scar. Cameras showed a
            second debris flow ongoing around 648 PM
            MDT.

&&

STW
Special weather statement, Jul 18, 8:13 PM MDT, 10 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
813 PM MDT Sat Jul 18 2026

UTZ103-190245-
Eastern Box Elder County UT-
813 PM MDT Sat Jul 18 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Box
Elder County through 845 PM MDT
...

At 812 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Howell, or 14 miles northwest of Tremonton, moving east at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Tremonton, Plymouth, Howell, Riverside, Garland, Penrose, Bothwell,
and Thatcher.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 15 between mile markers 380 and 392.
 Interstate 84 between mile markers 21 and 41.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4177 11255 4193 11246 4187 11210 4162 11224
TIME...MOT...LOC 0212Z 291DEG 8KT 4183 11243

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

STW

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 18, 6:11 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisorySLCWashington64 min
Jul 18, 6:32 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLCWashington28 min
Jul 19, 11:37 AM MDTHeat AdvisorySLCBox Elder, Davis, Salt Lake, Tooele, Utah, Weber36 hr
Jul 19, 2:10 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning EmergencyConsiderable damage threatSLCBeaver6 hr
Jul 19, 2:28 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLC47 min
Jul 19, 3:58 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLCWashington32 min
Jul 19, 4:24 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatSLCKane3 hr
Jul 19, 4:45 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatSLCBeaver4 hr
Jul 19, 4:56 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatSLCWashington3 hr

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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.