Weather Louis: when St. Louis expects strong Friday storms
St. Louis is expecting non-severe morning rain between 7 and 11 a.m. Friday, then a lull before stronger storms develop after about 5 p.m., according to FOX 2. The weather Louis outlook puts the metro and nearby Missouri counties in a Level 1 of 5 severe risk, with damaging winds the top threat.
Key Takeaways
- Non-severe rain and storms are favored between about 7 and 11 a.m. Friday.
- A second round after roughly 5 p.m. has the better chance to turn severe.
- Missouri counties in the FOX 2 viewing area and westernmost Illinois are in a Level 1 of 5 risk; a Level 2 upgrade is possible.
- Damaging winds of 60–70 mph are the main concern, with a small tornado chance.
- Weekend highs stay below normal, with clouds and rain lingering into Saturday.
After a stretch of extreme heat, cooler air is arriving with showers and storms. Local coverage of the Future Tech & AI Wonders beat is tracking how forecast tools shape day-of storm timing for readers across the Midwest.
When will strong storms hit St. Louis Friday?
FOX 2 meteorologist Chris Higgins says the morning window, roughly 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., should bring rain and storms that stay below severe levels. Activity is then expected to lull through the afternoon.
New storms are forecast to develop in the late afternoon into the evening, estimated after 5 p.m. That later round is when some cells could reach severe criteria. FOX 2’s forecast is the primary guide for metro timing.
KOMU 8, covering Mid-Missouri, also flagged Friday as a First Alert Weather Day, with morning widespread showers unlikely to be severe, a midday break, then isolated afternoon and evening storms. Confidence is higher in the morning rain than in whether sunshine returns to fuel a stronger severe threat.
Where is the Friday severe weather risk?
As of Thursday afternoon, all Missouri counties in the FOX 2 viewing area and the westernmost portion of Illinois sat in a Level 1 out of 5 risk for severe storms Friday. Higgins noted the risk could be upgraded to Level 2 as details sharpen.
Storms that do become strong to severe Friday afternoon or evening are still expected to be isolated in neighboring Mid-Missouri, per KOMU, so many locations may miss the strongest cells. St. Louis viewers should still plan around the evening window rather than assume their neighborhood stays dry.
What hazards should St. Louis watch for?
During the afternoon and evening system, strong winds are the main threat, with gusts possibly reaching 60 to 70 mph. There is also a small chance for tornadoes.
KOMU’s Mid-Missouri outlook similarly lists damaging wind gusts as the lead concern if storms intensify, with large hail or a brief tornado low but not zero. Flash flooding looks unlikely there, though heavy morning downpours remain possible.
Looking ahead, FOX 2 says rain and clouds linger into Saturday, with an end time still uncertain. Temperatures fall below normal, with a high near 83 degrees Friday and 79 degrees Saturday. Keep checking official updates as evening approaches.