Alert archive / Utah / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 49, NWS Salt Lake City, UT

July 23, 2026Beaver County, Utah

NWS Salt Lake City, UT issued this flash flood warning at Jul 23, 2026, 6:31 PM MDT for Beaver 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 23, 2026, 6:31 PM MDT (00:31 UTC)
Expired
Jul 23, 2026, 9:30 PM MDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Salt Lake City, UT
Area
Storm-based polygon
Damage threat
Considerable
Flood severity
None

County Beaver County, UT

The radar

The Cedar City radar (KICX), 89 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:35 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

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this flash flood warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

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, 0.5 hours before the alert went out and 276 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 2026-07-24Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1197 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°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 2026-07-24The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -7 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
1197 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-11 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
2483 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
6 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-7 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
2 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

715 
WGUS55 KSLC 240031
FFWSLC
UTC001-240330-
/O.NEW.KSLC.FF.W.0049.260724T0031Z-260724T0330Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
631 PM MDT Thu Jul 23 2026

The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  The Cottonwood Burn Scar in Beaver County in...
  East Central Beaver County in southern Utah...

* Until 930 PM MDT.

* At 631 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain over the south fork of North Creek within the 
  Cottonwood Burn Scar in Beaver County. Between 0.5 and 0.75 inches 
  of rain have fallen within central portions of the canyon across 
  multiple drainages. Additional rainfall amounts up to 0.25 inches 
  are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or 
  expected to begin shortly.

Excessive rainfall over the burn scar will result in debris flow 
moving through the south fork of North Creek downstream through 
North Creek. The debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation 
and other loose materials.

  HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms
           producing flash flooding in North Creek below the
           Cottonwood Burn Scar in Beaver County.

  SOURCE...Radar.

  IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding in North Creek.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  North Creek

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If you are in North Creek, move to higher ground now. Act quickly to 
protect your life.

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

&&

LAT...LON 3833 11256 3832 11261 3834 11262 3835 11252
      3837 11247 3840 11245 3836 11242 3832 11246

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

$$

GM
2 follow-up statements
444 
WGUS75 KSLC 240150
FFSSLC

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
750 PM MDT Thu Jul 23 2026

UTC001-240330-
/O.CON.KSLC.FF.W.0049.000000T0000Z-260724T0330Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Beaver UT-
750 PM MDT Thu Jul 23 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR THE COTTONWOOD BURN SCAR IN BEAVER COUNTY 
REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 930 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR EAST CENTRAL 
BEAVER COUNTY...

At 750 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy 
rain over the south fork of North Creek within the Cottonwood Burn 
Scar in Beaver County. Between 0.5 and 0.75 inches of rain have 
fallen within central portions of the canyon across multiple 
drainages. Additional rainfall amounts up to 0.25 inches are 
possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected 
to begin shortly.

Excessive rainfall over the burn scar has resulted in debris flow 
moving through the south fork of North Creek downstream through 
North 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
         Beaver County.

SOURCE...Radar and observations.

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

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  mainly rural areas of East Central Beaver County

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 in Beaver County. 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.

Move to higher ground now. Act quickly to protect your life.

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

&&

LAT...LON 3833 11256 3832 11261 3834 11262 3835 11252
      3837 11247 3840 11245 3836 11242 3832 11246

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

$$

HM
384 
WGUS75 KSLC 240329
FFSSLC

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
929 PM MDT Thu Jul 23 2026

UTC001-240339-
/O.EXP.KSLC.FF.W.0049.000000T0000Z-260724T0330Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Beaver UT-
929 PM MDT Thu Jul 23 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR THE COTTONWOOD BURN SCAR IN BEAVER COUNTY 
WILL EXPIRE AT 930 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR EAST CENTRAL BEAVER 
COUNTY...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3833 11256 3832 11261 3834 11262 3835 11252
      3837 11247 3840 11245 3836 11242 3832 11246

$$

HM

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 23, 1:36 PM MDT, 4 hours 55 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 23, 1:36 PM MDT, 4 hours 55 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
136 PM MDT Thu Jul 23 2026

.KEY MESSAGES, Issued 1006 PM MDT Wed Jul 22 2026...

- Drier air moves in tomorrow, limiting chances for afternoon
  showers and thunderstorms across northern Utah, with modest
  potential continuing across southern and central Utah.

- Southerly flow redeveloping Friday will allow monsoonal moisture
  to gradually fill back in statewide through the weekend, with an
  increasing flash flood threat returning as a result.

- Heat concerns return to Utah starting this Friday, lasting through
  at least Monday as temperatures rise across the region with
  anomalously warm overnight temperatures offering little relief.

&&

.DISCUSSION...Despite PWATs dipping across the area this
afternoon, ample moisture remains in the lower levels with
sufficient dynamics for afternoon convection in place. Storm
coverage will be more isolated in nature than past days, and
mainly favoring southern Utah and far eastern Utah. Upper level
flow remains lethargic, allowing storms that form along terrain to
drift slowly and produce locally heavy rainfall and potentially
impactful short-term accumulations.

This drier airmass will be short lived as a shortwave trough
quickly ejects into the Central Plains Friday and shifts the ridge
axis back into a better position to drive moisture well into
northern parts of Utah and southwestern Wyoming. With that,
probabilities increase for more widespread showers and
thunderstorms, though the highest chances both for initiation and
precipitation intensity are over central and southern Utah. As
such, these areas are being highlighted for a heightened flash
flood risk, with the collaborated Excessive Rainfall Outlook (ERO)
incorporating areas generally east of I-15 and south of I-70 into
a Marginal Risk (level 1/4) for excessive rainfall. The axis of
this broad ridge gradually shifts back eastward through the
weekend into early next week, resulting in continued monsoonal
moisture transport through this period that will bring continued
chances for afternoon showers and thunderstorms capable of
producing flash flooding each day.

In addition to a return to wetter conditions, this pattern
will bring an increase in temperatures especially across northern
Utah Friday into the weekend as the ridge not only shifts but
H5 heights continue to climb as the ridge amplifies. Daytime
highs soar back to the century mark for many locations across the
Wasatch Front, with overnight lows in the mid to upper 70s
offering very little relief. As such, widespread Major HeatRisk
emerges through this period, indicating an elevated threat for
heat illness especially for those without adequate cooling and
hydration. Areas where cloud cover and remnant surface moisture
will see the least overnight cooling, and there is indication that
some areas with lows sitting around 80F could reach Extreme
HeatRisk (~20% chance). If outdoors for festivities this weekend,
make sure to stay hydrated and take breaks in the shade or air
conditioning often.

&&

.AVIATION, Issued 1243 PM MDT Thu Jul 23 2026...

KSLC...Diurnal winds are forecast to persist at the KSLC terminal
through the period with northwest winds building in currently. The
next wind shift to southerly is expected around 04z.

REST OF UTAH AND SOUTHWEST WYOMING...Generally diurnal winds are
forecast across all sites through the TAF period. KCDC is forecast
to retain daily thunderstorm potential in the afternoon hours,
tapering off around 6PM/00z as reflected by the PROB30.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...Moisture has pulled back to the south and east today,
limiting the spatial extent of the showers and thunderstorms
expected. However, terrain will help with initiation across
southern and central Utah, and slow upper level flow will allow
these storms to drift slowly and increase the chances of wetting
rains with the stronger cells. This drying will also increase the
threat for outflow winds, with storms capable of producing erratic
gusts up to 40 mph on Thursday and up to 50 mph on Friday, in
addition to the moderate-heavy rain and lightning.

Overall, minimum RH across the area will be a bit drier, reaching
near- critical values during the afternoon across many valleys,
with marginal overnight recoveries (35-50% for those same
valleys). Expect temperatures across northern Utah to run quite a
bit warmer through the weekend and well into next week as the
ridge crests over the region.

&&

.SLC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
UT...Extreme Heat Watch from Saturday afternoon through Monday
     evening for UTZ103>107.

WY...None.
&&

PUBLIC...WESSLER
AVIATION...WORSTER
FIRE WEATHER...WESSLER

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

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 23, 3:54 PM MDT, 2 hours 37 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
354 PM MDT Thu Jul 23 2026

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

0300 PM     Flash Flood      1 WNW Wanship           40.80N 111.41W
07/22/2026                   Summit             UT   Broadcast Media

            Media report of Wanship Cemetery flooding
            that damaged headstones and carved out
            channels in the cemetery along with washing
            debris into the parking lot. Time estimated
            from the heaviest rain rates at the weather
            station: I-80 @ Wanship, UT (UTAH DOT - SLC)
            Elev: 5852.0 ft; Lat/Lon:
            40.81295/-111.40141.

&&

HRM
Local storm report, Jul 23, 4:02 PM MDT, 2 hours 29 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
402 PM MDT Thu Jul 23 2026

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

0430 PM     Flash Flood      Butterfield Canyon Road 40.50N 112.11W
07/22/2026                   Salt Lake          UT   Park/Forest Srvc

            Tooele County Parks and Rec posted that
            Butterfield Canyon Road on the Salt Lake
            Valley side is closed due to being washed
            out from rain. Rainfall estimates ~0.7
            inches from a weather station near Kennecott
            mine.

&&

HRM
Local storm report, Jul 23, 4:11 PM MDT, 2 hours 20 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
411 PM MDT Thu Jul 23 2026

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

0400 PM     Flash Flood      5 ESE Hatch             37.63N 112.35W
07/22/2026                   Garfield           UT   Emergency Mngr

            Garfield county EM said that 6 people riding
            side by sides had to be rescued up this
            canyon due to debris flow/flooding from the
            France Canyon burn scar.

&&

HRM

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 23, 6:37 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatSLCWashington3 hr
Jul 24, 9:09 AM MDTHeat AdvisorySLCBox Elder, Cache, Carbon, Davis, Duchesne, Emery and 13 more4 days
Jul 24, 2:09 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLCPiute36 min
Jul 24, 2:31 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatSLCBeaver3 hr
Jul 24, 2:40 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLC35 min
Jul 24, 3:24 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLCBeaver36 min
Jul 24, 5:43 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLC32 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.