National Weather ServiceWisconsinFlash Flood WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Flash Flood Watches in Wisconsin
The National Weather Service issued 0 flash flood watches for Wisconsin in 2025 and 12 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 44th most of any state. 2026 through September: 3, 73% below the average of 11 for those months in 2008-2025. Crawford was covered most often (51 times since 2008).
How many flash flood watches does Wisconsin get?
Every flash flood watch that covered part of Wisconsin. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 3 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2020 | 15 |
| 2019 | 23 |
| 2018 | 25 |
| 2017 | 13 |
| 2016 | 22 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2014 | 19 |
| 2013 | 16 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2010 | 25 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2008 | 21 |
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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crawford | 51 | 0 | August 28, 2021 |
| Grant | 50 | 0 | June 22, 2020 |
| Richland | 50 | 0 | August 28, 2021 |
| Vernon | 48 | 0 | August 28, 2021 |
| La Crosse | 42 | 0 | August 7, 2021 |
| Buffalo | 41 | 0 | August 7, 2021 |
| Monroe | 41 | 0 | August 7, 2021 |
| Trempealeau | 41 | 0 | August 7, 2021 |
| Jackson | 37 | 0 | August 7, 2021 |
| Lafayette | 37 | 0 | June 9, 2020 |
| Green | 36 | 0 | October 1, 2019 |
| Pierce | 35 | 0 | June 29, 2020 |
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 Wisconsin.