The week is starting calm in St. Louis, with clear skies and a mild 61°F at Spirit of St. Louis this morning, but the quiet is on borrowed time. Temperatures should climb to a warm 82°F this afternoon as southwest winds increase, with gusts up to 25 mph. Showers and scattered thunderstorms are possible after 7 a.m. Monday, May 4, 2026, and a more organized round is expected to move in right around the evening commute.
Evening Storms And Hail Risk
Storms are expected to become more widespread Monday evening and continue into Tuesday. The primary hail risk is focused north of Interstate 70, while the heavier rain is more likely south of I-70, where some spots could pick up close to 2 inches of rain by Tuesday evening. Widespread flooding is not anticipated, but brief downpours could still lead to quick ponding on roads and slick travel. Those details come from the latest forecast discussion by the NWS St. Louis.
Timing, Temperatures And Winds
Today will likely be the warmest day of this stretch, with a high near 82°F and southwest winds of 6 to 15 mph, gusting to around 25 mph during the afternoon. Tonight, temperatures will dip to around 56°F before readings rise again into the low 60s overnight. Tuesday will feel noticeably cooler, with a high near 64°F and temperatures falling through the afternoon into the upper 40s by Tuesday night. Expect a breezy, below-normal pattern through midweek, with a gradual return to more typical early May temperatures later in the week.
Commute And Safety Tips
Drivers should plan for slower travel during the Monday evening commute and again Tuesday morning, since hail, lightning and brief heavy rain can quickly cut visibility and create sudden street ponding. If you rely on transit, whether MetroLink or buses, keep an eye on service information. Metro Transit currently reports no weather-related service alerts but urges riders to sign up for notices in case storms lead to delays or detours. Have a quick plan to get indoors when storms approach, and avoid driving through any flooded or water-covered roadways.
Looking Ahead
Rain chances should taper from northwest to southeast Tuesday night into Wednesday, with skies turning sunnier and temperatures edging back toward normal by Thursday. Outdoor plans later in the week look more favorable, but Tuesday remains the time frame that bears the closest watching.
