National Weather ServiceVirginiaRed Flag WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Red Flag Warnings in Virginia
The National Weather Service issued 15 red flag warnings for Virginia in 2025 and 7 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 30th most of any state. 2026 through September: 1, 82% below the average of 6 for those months in 2008-2025. Clarke was covered most often (33 times since 2008).
How many red flag warnings does Virginia get?
Every red flag warning that covered part of Virginia. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 1 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2012 | 13 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarke | 33 | 9 | April 16, 2026 |
| Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria | 32 | 6 | November 16, 2025 |
| Fairfax | 32 | 6 | November 16, 2025 |
| Frederick | 32 | 9 | April 16, 2026 |
| Shenandoah | 31 | 8 | April 16, 2026 |
| Warren | 31 | 9 | April 16, 2026 |
| Page | 30 | 7 | April 16, 2026 |
| Augusta | 29 | 7 | April 16, 2026 |
| Rappahannock | 29 | 6 | November 16, 2025 |
| Rockingham | 28 | 7 | April 16, 2026 |
| Bedford | 27 | 6 | November 16, 2025 |
| Culpeper | 27 | 5 | November 16, 2025 |
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.
The latest red flag warnings for Virginia in AreaZine's record
NWS Baltimore MD/WashingtonWarningApril 16, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Augusta, Rockingham, Shenandoah and 15 more, VA and WV
Expired 7:00 p.m. EDT, April 16, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
What is a red flag warning?
A red flag warning means critical fire weather is happening or about to happen: strong wind, very low humidity and dry fuels together, so a fire that starts can spread fast. Each office sets the criteria with its land-management partners. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The national record · Every warning type in Virginia.