I-70 Corridor On Edge As Severe Storms Target St. Louis Thursday Night

St. Louis is staring down a volatile stretch of weather Thursday afternoon into Thursday night, with the strongest storms expected along and north of Interstate 70. Any stronger cells could pack damaging straight-line winds, large hail and a few isolated tornadoes. Before storms fire, the region will bake under hot and humid conditions, with highs climbing into the low 90s.

According to FOX 2, the National Weather Service has placed the corridor along and north of I-70 in an Enhanced (Level 3 of 5) risk for severe storms, while the rest of the viewing area sits in a Slight (Level 2) risk. FOX 2 meteorologists note that “wind energy and instability will be there Thursday,” and the station plans extra live coverage on Weather Extra with Chris Higgins via FOX 2 STL+.

What Forecasters Are Tracking

The Storm Prediction Center's latest convective outlook highlights an enhanced risk across parts of the central and upper Midwest, raising the ceiling for large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes if storms take a supercell form, according to the Storm Prediction Center. Forecasters emphasize that the corridor of highest threat will hinge on storm timing and whether storms remain individual cells or merge into a larger line.

Heavy Rain And Flash-Flood Potential

The Weather Prediction Center has flagged portions of northeastern Missouri for a Slight Risk of excessive rainfall, which raises the chance of localized flash flooding if storms repeatedly track over the same areas, per the Weather Prediction Center. Low-lying and urban spots that tend to collect runoff are most vulnerable to quick rises in water.

Timing And The Threats To Expect

Forecast models and local guidance indicate storms are most likely to develop Thursday afternoon and then continue into the evening and overnight hours. Early on, more isolated, discrete storms could produce very large hail or spin up tornadoes. NWS forecasters caution in their local outlook for the St. Louis area that the main impact for many communities would likely be damaging straight-line winds if the storms organize into a fast-moving line.

How To Prepare

Have a plan to move indoors quickly and identify your safest, lowest interior room. If you are outdoors, seek sturdy shelter and avoid trees or mobile structures. Keep phones charged, secure loose outdoor items, and avoid driving through flooded roadways; for checklists and emergency planning see Ready.gov.

For up-to-the-minute local coverage, tune to FOX 2 STL+, and consult the Storm Prediction Center and the National Weather Service for official watches and warnings before heading out.