Residents in and around St. Louis are bracing for a bout of wintry weather, as the National Weather Service (NWS) in St. Louis forecasts snowfall starting tonight and carrying on through Friday. According to the NWS, snow is likely to develop across the region after 4 am, with a cloudy evening prior and temperatures dropping to a low around 25 degrees. Commuters should expect potentially hazardous conditions, especially during the Thursday evening and Friday morning commutes.
With the chance of precipitation at a steady 70% for tonight and climbing to 100% on Friday, accumulations of 1 to 3 inches of snow are possible by afternoon. The NWS has issued a Winter Weather Advisory effective from 6 PM this evening to 6 PM CST Friday, cautioning that "Plan on slippery road conditions." The areas affected include parts of central, east central, and southeast Missouri as well as south central and southwest Illinois, a span that entails the bustling urban landscape of St. Louis, often unaccustomed to maneuvering through such snowy impediments.
Furthermore, a Winter Storm Warning has been announced for southeast Missouri due to expectations of more severe conditions. "Snow will continue on Friday, ending by late afternoon," relayed the NWS, predicting hazardous travel and snowfall accumulations exceeding 3 inches in some locales. Spotters have been solicited to relay snowfall amounts to better inform the public and weather services alike.
Now, as the mercury hovers around a mere 16 degrees and the calm before the storm lies upon the city, residents are advised to not only prepare for the immediate snowfall but also for the chilly days ahead. Following the snow, the forecast hints at a return to some semblance of normalcy with partly sunny skies anticipated by next Monday, though still with temperatures that are nothing to scoff at, a low around 11 degrees by Monday night – a sharp reminder of winter's biting presence.
