National Weather ServiceCaliforniaFlood WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Flood Watches in California
The National Weather Service issued 83 flood watches for California in 2025 and 29 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 2nd most of any state. 2026 through September: 15, 25% below the average of 20 for those months in 2008-2025. Southeastern Mendocino Interior was covered most often (56 times since 2008).
How many flood watches does California get?
Every flood watch that covered part of California. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 15 |
| 2025 | 83 |
| 2024 | 57 |
| 2023 | 94 |
| 2022 | 53 |
| 2021 | 15 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2019 | 32 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2017 | 55 |
| 2016 | 30 |
| 2015 | 11 |
| 2014 | 15 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2012 | 26 |
| 2011 | 14 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2008 | 5 |
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 California 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 California?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeastern Mendocino Interior | 56 | 37 | February 24, 2026 |
| Mendocino Coast | 48 | 19 | February 24, 2026 |
| Northern Humboldt Coast | 44 | 28 | February 24, 2026 |
| Southwestern Mendocino Interior | 43 | 28 | February 24, 2026 |
| Mono | 43 | 21 | August 12, 2026 |
| Western Siskiyou County | 42 | 7 | February 24, 2026 |
| Southern Humboldt Interior | 41 | 22 | February 24, 2026 |
| San Bernardino County Mountains | 41 | 23 | December 26, 2025 |
| Riverside County Mountains | 40 | 22 | December 24, 2025 |
| Southwestern Humboldt | 39 | 20 | February 24, 2026 |
| Northwestern Mendocino Interior | 38 | 20 | February 24, 2026 |
| Northern Humboldt Interior | 38 | 18 | February 24, 2026 |
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 flood watch?
A flood watch means conditions may lead to flooding in the coming day or days; it is not yet happening. 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 California.