St. Louis woke up to clear skies and a chilly Friday morning, but temperatures will climb fast, with highs expected near 73°F under full sun. That quick warmup, paired with gusty southwest winds and very dry vegetation, has prompted a Red Flag Warning for parts of the metro from noon to 6 p.m. The bottom line: any outdoor fire could spread in a hurry, so residents are urged to skip yard burning and be extra careful with anything that throws sparks this afternoon.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
Southwest winds will ramp up through late morning and turn breezy into the afternoon, with sustained speeds in the teens and gusts into the 20s to 30 mph range. Minimum relative humidity values are expected to drop to around 20 to 25 percent, a combo that creates a critical fire weather setup. The Red Flag Warning and today’s detailed forecast are posted by the National Weather Service.
What To Avoid
Skip burning yard debris and do not leave grills unattended while winds are gusty, since even a small ember can spread quickly in these conditions. Put off spark-producing chores such as mowing or chainsawing in dry fields, and make sure cigarette butts are fully out, not just “mostly” out. For context on how the forecast has evolved, see the earlier forecast we are now updating after the upgrade to an official Red Flag Warning.
Weekend Shift
A sharp cool down is expected Sunday, and another system could bring precipitation Sunday night that changes to snow, with the best chance for measurable snow along and north of I-70. Amounts remain uncertain, and forecasters note that while pockets of higher snowfall are possible, widespread heavy accumulations are not favored at this time. If you have travel plans, keep an eye on updates, since road conditions could be slick Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
