St. Louis is starting Friday in a cloud, literally. Thick fog is draped across the metro early March 6, cutting visibility on roads and bridges and forcing drivers to tap the brakes. A Dense Fog Advisory is in place through the morning, with conditions expected to gradually improve by mid-morning as the fog lifts. After that, the region flips to a warm, windy afternoon near 78°F and then a round of thunderstorms late Friday night.
Fog This Morning
The National Weather Service St. Louis has a Dense Fog Advisory in effect until 9 a.m. CST Friday, March 6. Some spots could see visibility drop to one-quarter mile or less. That kind of pea soup means you will want extra braking distance and slower speeds, especially on bridges and elevated ramps where sightlines can suddenly disappear.
If you have to be on the road, keep headlights on low beam, ease off the gas, and leave more room than usual between you and the car ahead. The goal is simple - give yourself time to react if the fog thickens in front of you.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
Once the fog burns off, warm and humid air moves in. Highs Friday afternoon will climb into the upper 70s, with south winds around 8 to 16 mph and gusts that could reach 29 mph. Those gusts can nudge high-profile vehicles and send lightweight items tumbling across yards and streets.
Before the wind cranks up, bring in or tie down anything that can blow away, like patio furniture, trash cans, or loose decorations.
Severe Storm Risk Tonight Into Saturday
Late Friday, thunderstorms are expected to fire along a cold front and could organize into a line that sweeps through the St. Louis region between about 10 p.m. Friday, March 6 and 2 a.m. Saturday, March 7. If this line holds together, the main concerns are damaging straight-line winds and brief, spin-up tornadoes within line segments, along with heavy rain that can collect on roads overnight.
The most active period looks to be overnight into early Saturday morning. After the line moves through, skies should gradually clear and temperatures will drop through the afternoon.
Week Ahead And Prep
Looking beyond the weekend, another round of rain and thunderstorms is on track for Tuesday into Wednesday next week, with the highest chances in the middle of the week and a few strong storms possible.
For local preparedness tips and to sign up for text or email alerts such as NotifySTL, head to the City of St. Louis Emergency Management. Officials there also stress keeping phones charged and having a shelter plan ready to go if a tornado warning is issued.
What To Do Right Now
Build in extra time for your morning drive and be ready for sudden drops in visibility. Avoid driving through standing water later on, especially after the overnight storms. Before winds and storms arrive, secure loose items outdoors.
Stay tuned to local alerts and the National Weather Service for updates, and move indoors quickly if a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning is issued.
