Thunderstorms resulted in flash flooding over several days, which included Zion National Park.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS SLC wrote it up.
Thunderstorms resulted in flash flooding over several days, which included Zion National Park.
The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Aug 15, 9:55 AM MST, 4 hours 20 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT 1055 AM MDT Mon Aug 15 2022 .UPDATE...In collaboration with our neighboring offices in Grand Junction and Flagstaff, have opted to extend the aerial extent of today's Flood Watch eastward to include Lake Powell, Western Canyonlands, and the San Rafael Swell. Though drier air is moving into northern Utah, an exceptionally moist airmass remains in place across southern Utah. Aided by a shortwave expected to move into southern Utah later today, anticipating numerous showers and thunderstorms will develop in this area. All storms that develop will produce heavy rain capable of producing flash flooding. No additional updates planned to the forecast this morning and the previous discussion follows. && .SYNOPSIS...Deep moisture will remain over southern Utah throughout the upcoming week, resulting in a daily threat of showers and thunderstorms capable of producing heavy rainfall. Northern Utah will see a drying and warming trend through midweek, with the potential for moisture and associated shower and thunderstorm activity to return late in the week. && .SHORT TERM (Through 12Z/6AM Wednesday)...Latest upper air and water vapor analysis depicts a ridge of high pressure now centered over the Texas Panhandle with a deep plume of monsoonal moisture stretching around the western periphery of the ridge from the Gulf of California northward across much of Utah and SW Wyoming. In contrast, a notable dry slot can bee seen stretching across Nevada and northern Utah. This drying trend across northern Utah and SW Wyoming will continue from today through the remainder of the period as PWATs are forecast to drop to near normal for the time of year. HREF ensemble max plots bear this out, with a worst-case scenario indicating only a slight chance of convection across the Raft Rivers, Uintas and Bear River Range. The ridge of high pressure remains on track to become repositioned across northern Utah and southern Idaho by later today through Tuesday. In addition to the drying trend, this will also promote a warming trend across northern Utah and SW Wyoming as temperatures rise to 5-10 degrees above seasonal normals by Tuesday. Farther south, deep monsoonal moisture will remain in place through the period, however PWATs here are forecast to fall to around 175% of normal for mid-August. While not as anomalous as the past several days, this amount of moisture is still supportive of heavy rainfall. CAMs suggest that convection will get underway around the 12PM hour across south-central Utah, with high terrain areas a likely initiation point. Convection will then tend to drift southward and westward as the mean steering flow will increasingly become northeasterly in response to the building ridge to the north. An exception to this motion will be in the presence of cold pool collisions. HREF probabilities of 1" of QPF exceedance in 3 hours are maximized across south-central Utah, and this is also where the probability of exceeding 5 and 10 year recurrence intervals is maximized. This includes places such as Boulder mountain and Capitol Reef south and west towards Zion and Hildale - well in line with the locations included in the inherited Flood Watch. CAM membership then shifts the highest probability of heavy rainfall south and east towards Glen Canyon and Lake Powell during the evening hours. Considered adding these areas to the Flood Watch, but confidence was not quite high enough for extreme southeast areas. A limiting factor will be the extensive cloud cover forecast to be in place across southern Utah today, and this may serve to limit surface insolation and surface-based instability production. Expectation is for showers and thunderstorms to gradually diminish across southern Utah tonight, although a few lighter showers may linger through much of the night. By Tuesday, heavy rainfall threat remains across the south, but shifts a bit farther westward. By this time, CAMs place the highest probability of heavy rainfall across mainly high terrain areas of southern and SW Utah such as Boulder Mountain and Brian Head. Given the confinement of precipitation to the higher terrain areas and the decreased real estate susceptible to a flash flood threat, have opted to not extend/expand a Flood Watch for Tuesday. Nonetheless, sensitive areas will still carry some risk for flash flooding due to the anomalous moisture forecast to remain in place along with the forecast slow storm motions. .LONG TERM (After 12Z/6AM Wednesday)...The extended forecast period will remain to be a continuous period of active monsoonal conditions. This continuous period of precip over the majority of the state will likely keep cloud coverage over the state high and thus temperatures more moderate with afternoon highs reaching the upper 80s to mid 90s for most valleys. However a period of drying in northern UT by midweek could allow KSLC to peak in the upper 90s, with some guidance slowly creeping towards 100F which would break the record for number of 100+ days in a year. Model guidance is consistent in a high pressure ridge to sit over the 4 corners region and flowing moisture into the CWA which will be sufficient for continuous storm development. With the ridge growing more westerly than the days before it, this will likely promote more zonal to even northwesterly flow aloft over the northern part of Utah, making for dryer conditions up north and for more moisture and storm development to be suppressed to the S/SE corridor of the CWA on Wednesday. A developing trough system off the coast of CA could amplify this ridge into Thursday and Friday, allowing for moisture to make its way back north. This combined with better dynamics with an incoming closed low pressure system could bring back more widespread precip to the CWA Thursday through Saturday. Model guidance is growing on a developing trough in the NW Pacific to follow the closed low which will switch winds aloft to northerly, thus pushing moisture out of the CWA and bringing a drying trend on Sunday and into the beginning of the following work week. The expected ongoing precipitation through much of the extended will keep the potential for isolated flash flooding across slot canyons, National Parks and recent burn scars located in southern Utah. && .AVIATION...KSLC...VFR conditions are expected through the TAF period at KSLC. Morning southerly winds switch to northerly by 17z and could be slightly breezy at times during the evening hours under partly cloudy skies. Dry conditions look to persist through the day and a wind shift back to the south overnight. .REST OF UTAH AND SOUTHWEST WYOMING...Continued showers and thunderstorms across the southern half of the CWA could lead to isolated periods of IFR in heavy rain but otherwise, can expect VFR conditions at most terminals. Northern terminals should expect mostly diurnal wind patterns through the TAF package while down south could see gusty or erratic winds with passing/overhead showers and storms. && .FIRE WEATHER...A ridge of high pressure currently in place across the Texas Panhandle region will meander around the Great Basin today before becoming briefly established across northern Utah and southern Idaho by tonight. The ridge is then expected to remain in place here through Wednesday. This will cause northeast to east flow to develop, which will translate to a drying trend for northern and even much of central Utah through midweek. At the same time, humidities will drop quite a bit from where they've been over the past several days, bottoming out in the teens and 20s across northern Utah through midweek along with modest overnight recovery. In contrast, deep moisture will remain in place across southern Utah through the week, maintaining a threat for daily shower and thunderstorm activity along with a good chance of wetting rains, particularly beneath heavier cores. Monsoonal moisture will return to the rest of the state by Thursday and especially Friday, bringing an increase in humidity, shower and thunderstorm potential and attendant wetting rain chances. The forecast does become a bit less certain over the weekend with two scenarios emerging. These scenarios indicate a drying trend across all but the south vs. a continuation of widespread moisture and precipitation chances. At this point, the wetter scenario appears most likely. && .SLC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... UT...Flood Watch until 9 PM MDT this evening for UTZ121-124-128>131. WY...None. && Traphagan/ADeSmet/Selbig For more information from NOAA's National Weather Service visit... http://weather.gov/saltlakecity For frequently asked questions about the Area Forecast Discussion visit... http://weather.gov/saltlakecity/general/afd_faqs.php
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
157 PM MDT Mon Aug 15 2022
UTZ125-128-152030-
South Central Utah UT-Southern Mountains UT-
157 PM MDT Mon Aug 15 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of west central Kane
County through 230 PM MDT...
At 157 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 17
miles north of Kanab. This storm was nearly stationary.
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.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of west central Kane
County.
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 3734 11256 3734 11243 3720 11240 3720 11254
3723 11261
TIME...MOT...LOC 1957Z 012DEG 4KT 3729 11252
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
STWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
200 PM MDT Mon Aug 15 2022
UTZ122-125-152030-
Southwest Utah UT-Southern Mountains UT-
200 PM MDT Mon Aug 15 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of east central Iron
County through 230 PM MDT...
At 200 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Paragonah, or 21 miles northeast of Cedar City. This storm was nearly
stationary.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size 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...
Parowan and Paragonah.
This includes Interstate 15 between mile markers 75 and 85.
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 3797 11285 3795 11273 3781 11271 3781 11282
3785 11293
TIME...MOT...LOC 2000Z 015DEG 3KT 3791 11280
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
STWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
205 PM MDT Mon Aug 15 2022
UTZ124-152030-
Zion National Park UT-
205 PM MDT Mon Aug 15 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of east central
Washington County through 230 PM MDT...
At 204 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Zion National Park, moving southwest at 5 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size 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...
Zion National Park.
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 3736 11303 3730 11298 3722 11306 3725 11314
3732 11316
TIME...MOT...LOC 2004Z 052DEG 6KT 3731 11305
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
STWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
232 PM MDT Mon Aug 15 2022
UTZ122-125-152100-
Southwest Utah UT-Southern Mountains UT-
232 PM MDT Mon Aug 15 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Iron
County through 300 PM MDT...
At 231 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Paragonah, or 22 miles northeast of Cedar City, moving southwest at 5
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of northeastern Iron
County.
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 3803 11286 3795 11280 3786 11289 3795 11298
TIME...MOT...LOC 2031Z 052DEG 5KT 3796 11286
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
STWThe Cedar City radar (KICX), 42 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:14 UTC.
9 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Flash flooding was reported in Clear Creek within Zion National Park.
A flash flood on Short Creek in Hildale flooded a home.
Flash flooding was reported in Clear Creek, Pine Creek, and Spry Canyon in Zion National Park.
The North Fork Virgin - Springdale, Nr gauge rose from near 50 cfs. to 1160 cfs. A corresponding rise over 3 ft. was recorded on the gauge height.
Social media videos showed flash flooding over roads in and near Hildale.
Flash flooding was reported along Pine Creek near the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel.
Flows increased on the North Fork of the Virgin River in Zion National Park. The trail became impassable near the mouth of The Narrows. Flood waters in The Narrows swept some hikers off their feet and isolated others on higher ground. Two people were swept downstream. One was swept a couple of hundred yards and found. The individual survived with minor injuries. The other was reported as missing to Zion National Park officials later that evening, and was found deceased the following Monday. The North Fork Virgin - Springdale river gauge, which is downstream from The Narrows, rose from approximately 75 cfs to 735 cfs, corresponding to a rise of slightly over 2 feet in height.
Flash flooding was reported in the vicinity of The Narrows in Zion National Park.
The Hildale Dispatch reported two road closures near waterways due to rises from flash flooding.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood, Washington | 2022-08-19 | 29 | Female | In Water | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Utah in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Utah, August 2022
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1054088, 1054093, 1054130, 1054132, 1054138, 1054140, 1054129, 1054142, 1054151.