Flash floods are a rapid flooding of a low-lying area such as a canyon. In the deserts of Utah, flash floods are especially dangerous as they bring a tremendous amount of rocks, sticks, boulders, and trees down the canyon with the water. Flash floods can occur even when there are no discernible clouds in the sky as canyons can have watersheds that gather water from distant storms miles and miles away.
Signs a Flash Flood may be approaching:
-Clouds building and/or thunder
-Rising water levels
-Water changing from clear to muddy
-A roar sound emanating from up canyon
If any of these signs occur, you should seek higher ground immediately. Furthermore, you should be vigilant to any egresses from a canyon you can find during your descent. Be especially aware of the weather forecast should you be planning a canyon descent.
NOAA has a fairly accurate weather service which the NPS uses for their forecasts. NOAA
The “What is Canyoneering?” chapter which covers flash flooding in a canyon with an emphasis on tropical canyon descents:
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