St. Louis woke up Monday, March 16, 2026 to a light coating of snow and a raw 27°F near downtown around 5:40 a.m. CDT. Gusty northwest winds are making it feel even colder and could slow the morning commute, especially for high-profile vehicles and anyone crossing the rivers. The snow itself stays on the lighter side, with scattered flakes through the morning and little accumulation expected in most neighborhoods.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
The National Weather Service has a Wind Advisory in effect until noon CDT for the St. Louis area, calling for sustained northwest winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 to 55 mph strong enough to toss around unsecured objects. According to the National Weather Service St. Louis, gusts should ease from late morning into the afternoon, but they could still knock down a few limbs and cause spotty power outages. Drivers of trucks, SUVs and vans should be extra cautious on bridges and open stretches of road until the winds back off.
Snow Chances And Commute
There is a chance of light snow before 9 a.m., with isolated snow showers again between late morning and early afternoon. New accumulation should stay under a half-inch across most of the metro. Visibility may drop briefly in any heavier bursts of flurries, but major travel problems are not expected on treated routes. Give yourself extra time on the roads and watch for drifting on more exposed stretches.
Big Warm-Up Later This Week
Temperatures rebound quickly as the week goes on. Highs struggle in the upper 20s today, then climb into the upper 30s on Tuesday, before surging into the 60s and 70s by Wednesday and Thursday. Forecast guidance points to mid-70s by Thursday, with the warmest days arriving later in the week for much of the region. By then, outdoor plans should feel more like late spring than mid-March.
How To Prepare
Secure patio furniture, tarps and other loose items before the stronger gusts arrive, and avoid standing under large trees during the windier period. For local resources and to sign up for city alerts, visit the City of St. Louis Emergency Management. Keep a charged phone and an emergency kit in your vehicle if you will be traveling this morning.
