United StatesDistrict of ColumbiaNWS, FEMA, USGSArchive to October 13, 2026
District of Columbia: warnings and declarations in 2026
The National Weather Service issued 25 warnings for District of Columbia in 2026 through September, 37% below the average of 40 for those months in 2008-2025. The most frequent was the severe thunderstorm warning (14). FEMA has made 1 declaration for District of Columbia this year.
Latest notices in District of Columbia
NWS Baltimore MD/WashingtonWarningSeptember 4, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: District of Columbia County, Arlington, Fairfax and 2 more, DC and VA
Expired 3:00 a.m. EDT, September 4, 2026
NWS Baltimore MD/WashingtonWarningAugust 10, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: District of Columbia County, Anne Arundel, Howard and 8 more, DC and MD
Expired 4:45 p.m. EDT, August 10, 2026
NWS Baltimore MD/WashingtonWarningAugust 2, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: District of Columbia County, Montgomery, Arlington and 5 more, DC and MD
Expired 7:45 p.m. EDT, August 2, 2026
NWS Baltimore MD/WashingtonWarningJuly 28, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: District of Columbia County, Montgomery, Prince Georges and 1 more, DC and MD
Expired 9:30 p.m. EDT, July 28, 2026
NWS Baltimore MD/WashingtonWarningJuly 28, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: District of Columbia County, Montgomery, Prince Georges and 3 more, DC and MD
Expired 6:45 p.m. EDT, July 28, 2026
NWS Baltimore MD/WashingtonWarningJuly 4, 2026
Extreme Heat Warning: District of Columbia, Frederick, Carroll and 32 more, DC and MD
Expired 9:00 p.m. EDT, July 4, 2026
NWS Baltimore MD/WashingtonWarningJuly 3, 2026
Extreme Heat Warning: District of Columbia, Frederick, Carroll and 32 more, DC and MD
Expired 9:00 p.m. EDT, July 3, 2026
NWS Baltimore MD/WashingtonWarningJuly 1, 2026
Extreme Heat Warning: District of Columbia, Frederick, Carroll and 31 more, DC and MD
Expired 8:00 p.m. EDT, July 2, 2026
Which warnings, watches and advisories does District of Columbia get?
| Product | Yearly average 2008-2025 | 2025 | 2026 through September | Average, same months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Flood Advisory | 46 | 8 | 1 | 36 |
| Severe Thunderstorm Warning | 18 | 13 | 14 | 18 |
| Severe Thunderstorm Watch | 12 | 10 | 20 | 11 |
| Flood Warning | 8 | 6 | 0 | 7 |
| Flash Flood Watch | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Wind Advisory | 7 | 13 | 3 | 5 |
| Winter Weather Advisory | 6 | 8 | 2 | 5 |
| Flash Flood Warning | 6 | 9 | 3 | 6 |
| Flood Watch | 6 | 18 | 9 | 5 |
| Heat Advisory | 5 | 7 | 7 | 5 |
| Dense Fog Advisory | 5 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Coastal Flood Warning | 4 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Coastal Flood Watch | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Tornado Watch | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Frost Advisory | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Winter Storm Warning | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Red Flag Warning | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Winter Storm Watch | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Fire Weather Watch | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Freeze Warning | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Extreme Heat Warning | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Cold Weather Advisory | 1 | 3 | 10 | 1 |
| Extreme Heat Watch | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Freeze Watch | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| High Wind Warning | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Extreme Cold Warning | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Extreme Cold Watch | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 13, 2026.
How many warnings does District of Columbia get each year?
Every NWS warning (VTEC significance W) that covered part of District of Columbia. 2026 is drawn as an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 25 |
| 2025 | 43 |
| 2024 | 42 |
| 2023 | 36 |
| 2022 | 45 |
| 2021 | 78 |
| 2020 | 57 |
| 2019 | 52 |
| 2018 | 54 |
| 2017 | 34 |
| 2016 | 40 |
| 2015 | 44 |
| 2014 | 32 |
| 2013 | 34 |
| 2012 | 40 |
| 2011 | 50 |
| 2010 | 42 |
| 2009 | 20 |
| 2008 | 39 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 13, 2026.
When in the year?
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 13, 2026.
FEMA declarations for District of Columbia in 2026
FEMAEmergencyFebruary 20, 2026
EM-3643-DC: Other, sewer line collapse
1 designated area
Source: FEMA, OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries. Data as of October 11, 2026.
Questions about District of Columbia's warnings
How many weather warnings does District of Columbia get a year?
An average of 43 NWS warnings a year in 2008-2025, and 43 in 2025.
What is the most common warning in District of Columbia?
The severe thunderstorm warning: 18 a year on average in 2008-2025.
Where do the live warnings come from?
From the National Weather Service's alert feed (api.weather.gov), which AreaZine reads every few minutes. For a warning in force now, the NWS office page and NOAA Weather Radio are the first source; phones receive only the most dangerous warnings as Wireless Emergency Alerts.