The National Weather Service in St. Louis issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook early this morning, signaling a damp and gusty day ahead for residents. According to the NWS forecast, today's main event is rain, expected to taper off by the afternoon, with temperatures peaking at 56 degrees before a drop-off. There's a certainty of precipitation—pegged at 100%—and winds are likely to ramp up, potentially hitting highs of 33 mph as they shift from south to west.
The outlook isn't just a wet blanket, the later hours bring some blustery conditions especially in northeast Missouri and west central Illinois, where a Wind Advisory stands. In the St. Louis area, the barometer reads at 29.58 in (1002.7 mb) with humidity clinging at a sticky 87%. Locals can expect a wind chill equivalent to the current temperature of 51°F (11°C), as the city remains ensconced in overcast skies.
Come nightfall, the clouds are set to part, revealing clearer skies by daybreak with a significant dip in temperature, bottoming out around 24 degrees. The clearing skies coupled with northwest winds blowing at sustained speeds of about 14 to 18 mph, could hit gusts up to 32 mph, adding a biting edge to the evening's chill.
As we usher in Friday, the sunshine makes a comeback. A high near a cool 40 is forecasted, suggesting a brisk start to the weekend. For those planning ahead, the weekend shapes up nicely with mostly sunny days, though Saturday night may see the mercury fall back to 28. "Thunderstorms are possible this morning," the Hazardous Weather Outlook cautioned, but moving into the latter part of the week, no hazardous weather is anticipated, granting a reprieve from Mother Nature's recent volatility.
The NWS emphasizes that despite the inclement conditions setting the tone for today, it finds no cause for alarm in the days stretching from Friday to Wednesday. Notably, spotter activation is not expected at this time, indicating a period of relative environmental calm for Missourians and southwest Illinoisans after a bout of unruly weather.
