National Weather ServiceVirginiaFlash Flood WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Flash Flood Watches in Virginia
The National Weather Service issued 1 flash flood watches for Virginia in 2025 and 29 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 4th most of any state. 2026 through September: 1, 96% below the average of 27 for those months in 2008-2025. Fairfax was covered most often (136 times since 2008).
How many flash flood watches does Virginia get?
Every flash flood watch that covered part of Virginia. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2021 | 46 |
| 2020 | 64 |
| 2019 | 31 |
| 2018 | 59 |
| 2017 | 27 |
| 2016 | 36 |
| 2015 | 36 |
| 2014 | 23 |
| 2013 | 38 |
| 2012 | 28 |
| 2011 | 38 |
| 2010 | 40 |
| 2009 | 39 |
| 2008 | 12 |
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 Virginia 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 Virginia?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfax | 136 | 0 | October 25, 2021 |
| Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria | 133 | 0 | October 25, 2021 |
| Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park | 122 | 0 | September 16, 2021 |
| Carroll | 111 | 1 | September 27, 2024 |
| Grayson | 110 | 0 | September 21, 2021 |
| Floyd | 105 | 0 | September 21, 2021 |
| Rockingham | 105 | 0 | September 22, 2021 |
| Madison | 101 | 0 | September 22, 2021 |
| Page | 101 | 0 | September 22, 2021 |
| Shenandoah | 101 | 0 | September 22, 2021 |
| Greene | 100 | 0 | September 22, 2021 |
| Rappahannock | 100 | 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 Virginia.