National Weather ServicePennsylvaniaFlash Flood WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Flash Flood Watches in Pennsylvania
The National Weather Service issued 0 flash flood watches for Pennsylvania in 2025 and 23 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 10th most of any state. 2026 through September: 0, 100% below the average of 22 for those months in 2008-2025. Philadelphia was covered most often (96 times since 2008).
How many flash flood watches does Pennsylvania get?
Every flash flood watch that covered part of Pennsylvania. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2021 | 40 |
| 2020 | 24 |
| 2019 | 50 |
| 2018 | 49 |
| 2017 | 37 |
| 2016 | 17 |
| 2015 | 28 |
| 2014 | 39 |
| 2013 | 26 |
| 2012 | 16 |
| 2011 | 48 |
| 2010 | 14 |
| 2009 | 30 |
| 2008 | 2 |
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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 96 | 0 | October 26, 2021 |
| Delaware | 95 | 0 | October 26, 2021 |
| Berks | 81 | 0 | October 26, 2021 |
| Northampton | 81 | 0 | October 26, 2021 |
| Lehigh | 80 | 0 | October 26, 2021 |
| York | 78 | 0 | September 22, 2021 |
| Lancaster | 77 | 0 | September 22, 2021 |
| Eastern Montgomery | 72 | 0 | October 26, 2021 |
| Adams | 70 | 0 | September 22, 2021 |
| Lebanon | 70 | 0 | September 22, 2021 |
| Lower Bucks | 69 | 0 | October 26, 2021 |
| Dauphin | 68 | 0 | September 22, 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 Pennsylvania.