National Weather ServiceColoradoFlash Flood WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Flash Flood Watches in Colorado
The National Weather Service issued 1 flash flood watches for Colorado in 2025 and 24 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 1st most of any state. 2026 through September: 22, in line with the average of 23 for those months in 2008-2025. Central Colorado River Basin was covered most often (123 times since 2008).
How many flash flood watches does Colorado get?
Every flash flood watch that covered part of Colorado. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 22 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2022 | 41 |
| 2021 | 66 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2019 | 17 |
| 2018 | 34 |
| 2017 | 20 |
| 2016 | 22 |
| 2015 | 32 |
| 2014 | 41 |
| 2013 | 44 |
| 2012 | 12 |
| 2011 | 21 |
| 2010 | 29 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2008 | 16 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Colorado get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Colorado?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Colorado River Basin | 123 | 11 | January 22, 2025 |
| Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys | 121 | 11 | January 22, 2025 |
| Southwest San Juan Mountains | 95 | 0 | September 1, 2021 |
| Flat Tops | 85 | 8 | August 9, 2024 |
| Animas River Basin | 82 | 0 | July 23, 2021 |
| Wet Mountains between 6300 and 10000Ft | 76 | 19 | August 27, 2026 |
| Southern Sangre De Cristo Mountains Between 7500 and 11000 Ft | 74 | 1 | June 7, 2023 |
| Northern El Paso County/Monument Ridge/Rampart Range Below 7500 Ft | 73 | 0 | July 31, 2021 |
| Colorado Springs Vicinity/Southern El Paso County/Rampart Range Below 7400 Ft | 72 | 0 | July 31, 2021 |
| Wet Mountains above 10000 Ft | 72 | 19 | August 27, 2026 |
| Northwestern San Juan Mountains | 69 | 2 | August 29, 2026 |
| Walsenburg Vicinity/Upper Huerfano River Basin Below 7500 Ft | 68 | 1 | June 7, 2023 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
What is a flash flood watch?
A flash flood watch means the rain or conditions that lead to flash flooding are possible in the coming hours. Since 2022 most NWS offices issue a flood watch in its place: the national count fell from 692 in 2021 to 76 in 2022, while flood watches rose from 203 to 715 (IEM archive), so compare the two together. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in Colorado.