St. Louis started Wednesday under clear skies and mid-30s chill, but the quiet morning will not last. Clouds are set to thicken through the day, with highs climbing into the low 50s and a top near 53°F this afternoon. A quick shot of light rain is likely after 9 p.m. Wednesday night (Feb. 25), and the far northern edge of the metro could briefly see a wintry mix. By Friday (Feb. 27), temperatures surge into the upper 60s before a cooler, unsettled pattern settles in late this weekend into early next week.
Tonight
Expect mostly cloudy skies tonight with a 50% chance of light rain after 9 p.m. Wednesday (Feb. 25). Most of the region should stay above freezing, so impacts look limited to wet roads and a few isolated slick spots where rain may briefly flip to snow along the northern border. Northeast Missouri and west-central Illinois have the best shot at that short-lived wintry mix, but any snow should be light and quick to move out. No watches or warnings are currently posted, and evening plans can stay on the calendar, according to the National Weather Service.
Friday Warm-Up
Warm air rushes in Friday (Feb. 27), sending highs into the upper 60s under light southwest winds, with a forecast high near 69°F. That taste of spring will be brief. A slow-moving cold front is expected to knock temperatures back down by Sunday and boost the chance for mixed precipitation late Sunday into Monday (March 1-2).
Weekend Outlook
Saturday still looks like the pick of the weekend: mostly sunny, mild, and topping out in the mid-60s. After that, timing becomes trickier. If the front arrives sooner, Sunday could turn much cooler, with rain showers changing to snow in some areas. Forecast ensembles currently lean toward measurable snow north of I-70 between Sunday and Monday, but they also outline a corridor that might see freezing rain or sleet, so the exact outcome is still very much in play.
Commute & Plans
Count on a damp drive Wednesday evening, especially after 9 p.m. Bridges and overpasses are the main trouble spots to watch for any slick patches. If you are trying to squeeze in outdoor plans, circle Friday, when conditions look both the warmest and the driest of the week.
Earlier Coverage
We covered this month's foggy, stormy stretch in more detail earlier; for background see our look at the recent bout of thick fog, storms and fierce winds. We will update this forecast if the timing or type of precipitation changes as new model data refines the front's track.
