St. Louis gets one more mellow, almost-summer day before the atmosphere decides to stir things up. Thursday is set to be warm and mostly dry, with highs climbing into the upper 70s to around 80 under mostly sunny skies and overnight lows slipping into the 50s. Showers and thunderstorms start to move in Friday, but the exact timing and punch of the storms are still a bit of a moving target, so anyone banking on outdoor plans this weekend will want to stay tuned.
According to KMOV, meteorologist Steve Templeton expects the most widespread showers on Friday, with isolated thunderstorms possible on Saturday and storm chances continuing to ramp up into early next week. Templeton also notes that forecasters do not yet have enough confidence to lock in exact timing or pinpoint where the strongest storms will fire.
When The Rain Arrives
The National Weather Service zone forecast for the St. Louis area keeps Thursday near 80 degrees and lists about a 70 percent chance of rain for Friday, with thunderstorm chances increasing later in the afternoon and evening, according to the National Weather Service. On Saturday, the higher rain chances show up in the morning, with conditions trending drier later in the day and only isolated showers expected after that.
Severe Risk: Marginal To Slight
The Storm Prediction Center’s convective outlook issued April 8 puts parts of Missouri under a marginal to slight risk for severe weather in the Friday to Saturday period, meaning a few storms could crank out damaging wind, large hail, or a brief tornado, per the Storm Prediction Center. Most storms may end up as routine downpours, but the outlook is a reminder that some stronger, more impactful cells are on the table as the front moves through.
What This Means For Weekend Plans
Local meteorologists warn that a line of storms could march east Friday evening, bringing pockets of heavy rain, frequent lightning, and gusty winds that could briefly knock out power or flood low-lying roads, with the timing and coverage still shifting, according to ABC17. If you are planning Friday night baseball, barbecues, or outdoor events, organizers should keep a close eye on updated forecasts and be ready to move things inside fast if thunder or lightning shows up.
Forecasts will be sharpened as new model runs and observations come in, refining the front’s track and timing. For the latest details and any watches or warnings, check updates from the National Weather Service and local First Alert coverage from KMOV.
