St. Louis woke up clear and cool Wednesday, with temperatures hovering around 43°F, but that chill is not sticking around for long. Under mostly sunny skies, the city is expected to rocket into the upper 70s by late afternoon. A light south breeze of about 3–10 mph will help flip the script from cold commute to springlike evening, so dress for two seasons if you are out all day.
Thursday Heat Flirts With Records
Thursday is the main event. Highs are forecast to jump into the lower 90s in parts of the metro, running well above normal for this time of year and edging close to March records. The National Weather Service St. Louis says a steady southwest flow and a warm air mass will drive those near-record readings across the region. Outdoor workers and anyone with late-day or evening plans should be ready for an unseasonably hot finish to the day.
Strong Storms Charge In Late Thursday Night
By Thursday evening, a cold front will swing south and change the mood fast. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to fire along and behind the front from Thursday night into early Friday, roughly between 7 p.m. and 4 a.m. Some of those storms could turn strong to severe, with large hail the primary concern and damaging wind gusts also possible. Localized heavy rain may make the Thursday night drive home a slog, and west to northwest wind gusts up to around 25 mph are possible as the line moves through.
Friday Cooldown And Weekend Outlook
Behind the front, temperatures tumble. Friday’s highs will feel sharply cooler, landing in the mid-50s, and Saturday morning could be the coldest point of this stretch in some spots. For more on the evolving setup and earlier forecasts, check out our weather roller coaster coverage. If you have outdoor events planned for Thursday night, it is wise to move them inside or be ready to pivot quickly if storms approach.
How To Get Ready Now
Before the heat and storms arrive, turn on local weather alerts, charge phones, and secure loose outdoor items that could blow around when the front comes through. If severe warnings are issued, head to a sturdy interior room away from windows, and avoid driving through heavy downpours or any flooded roads.
