Residents of St. Louis and surrounding areas woke up to a dusting of snow this Monday morning. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), "Light snow will impact portions of eastern Missouri and western Illinois this morning with most areas seeing a half-inch or less snow accumulation." Commuters faced slightly slick streets, but the less than an inch expected accumulation was unlikely to majorly disrupt the morning traffic.
The NWS forecast for the rest of the day indicates a predominantly overcast sky with a high near 30 degrees. While the morning snow might have caused drivers to you slowly drive with caution, the light northwest wind is expected to pick up, escalating to 6 to 11 mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation throughout the day stands at a solid 80%, giving a brief window for snowfall before noon.
Tonight, clearer skies are expected with the temperature predicted to drop to around 15 degrees. As the week progresses, sunny days lay ahead for the region. The NWS details that Tuesday will be sunny with a high near 32, and a calm wind becoming south at 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. And the pleasant weather will continue, as Wednesday promises sunny conditions with temperatures climbing to near 50 degrees.
Regarding the outlook for the rest of the week, "No hazardous weather is expected at this time," the NWS reassures. The pattern of clear nights and sunny days is set to persist, with a slight chance of snow on Friday night. Weekend forecasts predict mostly sunny conditions, with highs inching toward the low 50s by Sunday. Spotter activity appears to be minimal, with the NWS simply stating, "Spotters are asked to relay snowfall amounts."
As the cold snap hits its stride in early December, St. Louis locals should be able to readily adapt to these commonplace Midwest winter conditions. While the early snowfall might serve as a gentle reminder that winter is indeed upon us, the quick transition to clearer skies might just afford everyone a smooth transition into the season.
