National Weather ServiceVirginiaFlood WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Flood Watches in Virginia
The National Weather Service issued 92 flood watches for Virginia in 2025 and 33 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 4th most of any state. 2026 through September: 41, 49% above the average of 28 for those months in 2008-2025. Fairfax was covered most often (136 times since 2008).
How many flood watches does Virginia get?
Every flood watch that covered part of Virginia. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 41 |
| 2025 | 92 |
| 2024 | 87 |
| 2023 | 29 |
| 2022 | 60 |
| 2021 | 21 |
| 2020 | 32 |
| 2019 | 14 |
| 2018 | 60 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2016 | 16 |
| 2015 | 21 |
| 2014 | 23 |
| 2013 | 26 |
| 2012 | 11 |
| 2011 | 28 |
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2009 | 33 |
| 2008 | 17 |
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 | 57 | August 16, 2026 |
| Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria | 113 | 49 | August 16, 2026 |
| Warren | 96 | 34 | July 9, 2026 |
| Greene | 94 | 35 | August 22, 2026 |
| Culpeper | 94 | 33 | August 22, 2026 |
| Rockingham | 89 | 35 | August 22, 2026 |
| Madison | 88 | 33 | August 22, 2026 |
| Clarke | 88 | 27 | July 9, 2026 |
| Albemarle | 87 | 32 | August 22, 2026 |
| Rappahannock | 84 | 33 | August 22, 2026 |
| Augusta | 83 | 31 | August 2, 2026 |
| Stafford | 82 | 31 | August 16, 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 Virginia.