St. Louis locals can expect a dismal ensemble of rain and snow as the forecast indicates a series of gloomy days ahead. According to the National Weather Service St. Louis MO (NWS), rain is likely to persist through this morning, with cloudy skies and highs barely crawling to 44°F. Transitioning into tonight, temperatures are anticipated to plummet to a freezing 25°F with a 90% chance of precipitation turning from rain to snow after midnight, potentially leaving up to an inch of fresh powder.
Continuing into tomorrow, the chill lingers with a high near 29°F, while gusty northwest winds could reach 31 mph, sharpening the bite of the cold. "Mostly cloudy, with a high near 23," reads the NWS forecast for Washington's Birthday, maintaining the cold streak with low temperatures dipping into the teens early in the week. Despite the wintry mix, the varied outlook comes with no promise of sunshine, as clouds loom large in the skies above Missouri's historical Gateway City.
The NWS Hazardous Weather Outlook suggests a slightly tumultuous start to the weekend, with a "low chance for thunderstorms across southeastern Missouri and southwestern Illinois today." Fortunately, the rest of the week should steer clear of hazardous conditions, providing some solace to residents weighed down by the gray skies. Nevertheless, no spotter activation is expected, offering a small consolation in the face of the ongoing dreariness that has settled over the region.
In the face of such consistent overcast conditions, it's advised that individuals brace for the bitter cold, and remain aware that, "Snow likely, mainly before midnight," and "Partly sunny and cold, with a high near 16," describe the middle of the week from Tuesday night through Wednesday, as mentioned on the NWS. The spotty chance of snow persists into Wednesday night, yet another sign that winter is unrelenting in its grip as February marches onward, the calendar's promise of an impending spring feeling like a distant hope on the frosty horizon.
