Alert archive / Utah / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 42, NWS Salt Lake City, UT

July 22, 2026Piute County, Utah

NWS Salt Lake City, UT issued this flash flood warning at Jul 22, 2026, 4:14 AM MDT for Piute County, Utah. It was in force for 106 min. 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 22, 2026, 4:14 AM MDT (10:14 UTC)
Expired
Jul 22, 2026, 6:00 AM MDT
In force
106 min
Issued by
NWS Salt Lake City, UT
Area
Storm-based polygon
Damage threat
Considerable
Flood severity
None

County Piute County, UT

The radar

The Cedar City radar (KICX), 94 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 10:15 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 22, 4:14 AM MDTFLASH FLOOD7 N Junction, UTFlash flooding from Cottonwood burn scar sent debris flow over US-89 between mile markers 164 and 177.

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 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

Salt Lake City I, UT (KSLC), launched 00:00Z, 10.2 hours before the alert went out and 278 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, Salt Lake City I, UT at 00:00Z on 2026-07-22Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 589 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, Salt Lake City I, UT at 00:00Z on 2026-07-22The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 45 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
589 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-106 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
2856 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
24 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
45 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
124 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
1.7

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

116 
WGUS55 KSLC 221014
FFWSLC
UTC031-221200-
/O.NEW.KSLC.FF.W.0042.260722T1014Z-260722T1200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
414 AM MDT Wed Jul 22 2026

The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  The Cottonwood burn scar in...
  Southwestern Piute County in central Utah...

* Until 600 AM MDT.

* At 414 AM MDT, Doppler radar indicated earlier thunderstorms that 
  produced heavy rain over the Cottonwood Burn Scar in Piute County. 
  Between 0.5 and 1.5 inches of rain have fallen. Flash flooding is 
  already occurring with a debris flow over US-89. This Flash Flood 
  Warning is an extension of the prior Flash Flood Warning for the 
  Cottonwood Burn Scar in Piute County.

Excessive rainfall over the burn scar will result in debris flow 
moving through the City Creek, Ten Mile Creek, and Cottonwood Creek. 
The debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and other loose 
materials.

  HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms
           producing flash flooding in and around the Cottonwood
           Burn Scar in Piute County and points downstream to
           Highway 89 between milepost 164-177.

  SOURCE...Radar.

  IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of areas in and around
           the Cottonwood Burn Scar in Piute County.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Junction north to 4 miles south of Marysvale.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

This is a life threatening situation. Heavy rainfall will cause 
extensive and severe flash flooding of creeks...streams...and 
ditches in the Cottonwood Burn Scar. Severe debris flows can also be 
anticipated across roads. Roads and driveways may be washed away in 
places. If you encounter flood waters...climb to safety.

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

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the 
dangers of flooding.

&&

LAT...LON 3828 11221 3824 11221 3821 11222 3822 11229
      3824 11237 3829 11234 3834 11233 3837 11235
      3841 11221 3837 11220

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

$$

JAC
1 follow-up statement
193 
WGUS75 KSLC 221157
FFSSLC

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
557 AM MDT Wed Jul 22 2026

UTC031-221207-
/O.EXP.KSLC.FF.W.0042.000000T0000Z-260722T1200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Piute UT-
557 AM MDT Wed Jul 22 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR THE COTTONWOOD BURN SCAR WILL EXPIRE AT 6 
AM MDT EARLY THIS MORNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN PIUTE COUNTY...

The heavy rain has ended. Please continue to heed remaining road 
closures.

&&

LAT...LON 3828 11221 3824 11221 3821 11222 3822 11229
      3824 11237 3829 11234 3834 11233 3837 11235
      3841 11221 3837 11220

$$

JAC

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 22, 3:48 AM MDT, 26 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 22, 3:48 AM MDT, 26 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
348 AM MDT Wed Jul 22 2026

.KEY MESSAGES, Issued 1001 PM MDT Tue Jul 21 2026...

- The threat for severe weather, specifically gusty winds in
  excess of 58 mph, is waning across the region late this evening,
  though nocturnal convection may still produce gusty and erratic
  winds through early Wednesday morning.

- Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop
  across much of UT and southwest WY each afternoon within this
  forecast as monsoonal moisture lingers.

- The risk for flash flooding remains elevated through Wednesday,
  with much of UT outlined within a slight risk (2/4) of exceeding
  flash flood guidance.

&&

.DISCUSSION, Issued 1001 PM MDT Tue Jul 21 2026...
The threat for severe winds we've observed across
much of northern and eastern Utah this evening will wane through
the remainder of tonight as instability decreases across the area.
High-res models hint at the potential for some gusty, downsloping
outflow winds into the Uinta Basin into early Wednesday morning,
but are likely to stay sub-severe (<58 kts) given an increasingly
unfavorable environment as DCAPE decreases across the area.
Nocturnal showers with isolated thunderstorms will continue
overnight across much of the region through around mid-to-late
morning.

Widely scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop
once again along the high terrain Wednesday afternoon, with a
potentially more efficient heavy rainfall threat across much of
the region, as supported by a Slight Risk (level 2/4) for
excessive rainfall from WPC across much of Utah and southwest
Wyoming. Weaker flow aloft will create favorable conditions for
storms to become anchored to terrain, which exacerbates the flash
flood risk for tomorrow. As usual, areas of highest concern
include normally dry washes, slot canyons, and recent burn scars.
Those planning to head outdoors in these areas tomorrow should
reconsider plans. Those living in a location vulnerable to flash
flooding should have multiple ways to receive warnings.

Thursday onward, we'll see a gradual downtrend in monsoonal
moisture areawide as an upper-level trough off the coast of the
PacNW introduces drier southwesterly flow across the region.
However, ample amounts of moisture will linger across the region
through the weekend, with PWATs in the 0.7-1.0" range. As we
remain under the influence of the broad ridging pattern into at
least the early weekend, daily chances for showers and
thunderstorms continue through this period, though with lower
flash flooding risk and better potential for potentially strong
to severe storms.

&&

.AVIATION, Issued 1034 PM MDT Tue Jul 21 2026...

KSLC...Monsoonal pattern continues. Outside of precipitation
influences, winds will favor a diurnally normal pattern. Gusty and
erratic outflow winds will be especially possible near
thunderstorms, with more modestly gusty conditions with showers.
There will be around a 20-30% chance of showers/thunderstorms
overnight. Thunderstorm chances then increase late morning through
Wednesday afternoon and evening. VFR conditions favored to persist,
but any heavier cell over the terminal may result in brief periods
of reduced CIGS/VIS.

REST OF UTAH AND SOUTHWEST WYOMING...An active weather pattern will
persist as monsoonal moisture remains. Isolated to scattered shower
and thunderstorms will persist across the area overnight. Area wide
thunderstorm activity then will begin to once again increase in
coverage late morning on through Wed evening. This activity will
bring periods of heavy rainfall, lightning, gusty and erratic
outflow winds, and potentially small hail. Outside of precipitation
and outflow influences, winds at area terminals will favor a
diurnally normal pattern and direction. VFR conditions are also
favored to generally prevail, but any stronger cell directly atop a
terminal will bring potential for periods of reduced CIGS/VIS.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...Monsoonal moisture remains in place throughout UT
increasing humidities and chances for showers / thunderstorms across
the state, helping moderating fire weather conditions statewide.
Similar to yesterday, expect widespread showers and thunderstorms
that will be capable of producing heavy rain, lightning, and gusty
outflow winds. Expect showers and thunderstorms to develop along
higher terrain parallel to I-15 each afternoon over the next
several days around 1200-1400. Winds will generally remain light
terrain driven / diurnal over the next several days outside of
thunderstorm influenced winds and gusts.

&&

.SLC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
UT...None.
WY...None.
&&

PUBLIC...Whitlam
AVIATION...Warthen
FIRE WEATHER...Cunningham

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

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 22, 12:04 AM MDT, 4 hours 10 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
1204 AM MDT Wed Jul 22 2026

UTZ125>127-220645-
Upper Sevier River Valleys UT-Bryce Canyon Country UT-
Southern Mountains UT-
1204 AM MDT Wed Jul 22 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
Garfield, southern Piute and southeastern Beaver Counties through
1245 AM MDT
...

At 1204 AM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles southwest of Antimony, or 17 miles south of Junction, moving
west at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Panguitch and Circleville.

This includes US Route 89 between mile markers 127 and 158.

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 3813 11201 3783 11198 3777 11247 3820 11245
TIME...MOT...LOC 0604Z 096DEG 15KT 3800 11210

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

BW

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 21, 6:11 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLCUtah49 min
Jul 21, 6:29 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisorySLCJuab, Tooele3 hr
Jul 21, 6:39 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLC51 min
Jul 21, 6:48 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLCSalt Lake42 min
Jul 21, 7:09 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLCWayne36 min
Jul 21, 7:16 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatSLCPiute3 hr
Jul 21, 7:21 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLCWeber39 min
Jul 21, 7:51 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatSLCBeaver4 hr
Jul 21, 7:53 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLCEmery52 min
Jul 21, 8:00 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLCSalt Lake45 min
Jul 21, 8:33 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSLCDavis, Salt Lake27 min
Jul 21, 8:46 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLCDavis44 min
Jul 21, 9:26 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatSLCGarfield, Wayne3 hr
Jul 21, 9:27 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLCDavis, Weber48 min
Jul 21, 10:07 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLCWeber38 min
Jul 22, 12:04 AM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLCPiute41 min
Jul 22, 1:26 AM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatSLCPiute3 hr
Jul 22, 7:50 AM MDTFlood WatchSLCBeaver, Box Elder, Cache, Carbon, Davis, Duchesne and 19 more13 hr
Jul 22, 12:37 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisorySLCSevier3 hr
Jul 22, 1:39 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatSLCGarfield3 hr
Jul 22, 1:40 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatSLCWayne3 hr
Jul 22, 2:05 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatSLCGarfield4 hr
Jul 22, 2:19 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLCUtah41 min
Jul 22, 2:32 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisorySLCSanpete, Utah3 hr
Jul 22, 2:37 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisorySLCMorgan, Summit3 hr
Jul 22, 2:52 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatSLCMorgan, Summit3 hr
Jul 22, 3:07 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisorySLCUtah3 hr
Jul 22, 3:43 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisorySLCKane3 hr
Jul 22, 3:49 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisorySLCUtah3 hr
Jul 22, 3:54 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLCIron51 min
Jul 22, 3:55 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatSLCBeaver5 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.