St. Louis rolled into Friday, July 17, wrapped in thick, muggy air and early pockets of patchy fog that have mostly lifted. Temperatures are hanging near 74°F with dew points in the low 70s, so it already feels like walking into a steam bath for anyone heading outside.
Afternoon Heat And Thunderstorms
Skies turn mostly sunny this afternoon, and the heat quickly follows, with a high near 92°F and heat index values pushing up to about 101°F. A slight chance of showers this morning will shift to a chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms from late morning into early afternoon. The strongest cells could pack gusty winds and locally heavy downpours, though widespread severe weather is not on the table. West winds stay light at 2–7 mph, so slow-moving storms could briefly flood low spots and urban areas where those downpours park themselves.
Saturday And The Weekend
Saturday cranks things up another notch, with a high near 95°F and peak heat index readings around 100–102°F. A weakening front slips in Saturday evening and bumps up the odds for more storms into the night. Sunday stays warm with highs near 93°F and another round of possible afternoon showers or thunderstorms. Monday and Tuesday look like the real scorchers, with mid 90s on tap and a chance of heat index values at or above 105°F, according to NWS St. Louis.
Where To Cool Off
If you need a break from the heat, the city maintains a list of cooling centers across St. Louis on the City of St. Louis website, including public libraries and community centers. Central Library (1301 Olive Street) and the Baden Branch (8448 Church Road) are among the locations listed, and it is a good idea to call ahead to confirm hours and availability. These centers become especially useful if afternoon storms drive people indoors right as temperatures spike.
Quick Tips For The Day
Try to shift strenuous outdoor plans to the cooler early morning or evening hours, keep water handy, and give yourself extra time if your route runs through spots that tend to pond water during brief heavy rain. Keep an eye on updated forecasts and local alerts this afternoon in case storm timing or coverage changes.
