National Weather ServiceMontanaFlash Flood WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Flash Flood Watches in Montana
The National Weather Service issued 5 flash flood watches for Montana in 2025 and 7 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 30th most of any state. 2026 through September: 8, 12% above the average of 7 for those months in 2008-2025. Dawson was covered most often (22 times since 2008).
How many flash flood watches does Montana get?
Every flash flood watch that covered part of Montana. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 8 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2015 | 11 |
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2013 | 20 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2011 | 12 |
| 2010 | 18 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2008 | 4 |
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 Montana 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 Montana?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dawson | 22 | 0 | March 2, 2020 |
| Prairie | 20 | 0 | July 9, 2019 |
| Wibaux | 20 | 0 | July 9, 2019 |
| Carter | 19 | 0 | August 11, 2019 |
| Daniels | 19 | 0 | June 8, 2021 |
| Eastern Roosevelt | 19 | 0 | June 8, 2021 |
| Richland | 19 | 0 | July 9, 2019 |
| Sheridan | 19 | 0 | June 8, 2021 |
| Western Roosevelt | 19 | 0 | June 8, 2021 |
| McCone | 18 | 0 | July 9, 2019 |
| Central and Southern Valley | 17 | 0 | June 8, 2021 |
| Northern Valley | 17 | 0 | June 8, 2021 |
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 Montana.