Strong storms are expected in the St. Louis region on Thursday and Friday. Rain could reach St. Louis and surrounding counties from the west between noon and 4 p.m. on Thursday, then stronger storms may follow later in the day.
People south of Interstate 44 face the higher Thursday threat. The Storm Prediction Center set a Level 2 risk there, while much of the region north of Interstate 44 sits in Level 1.
St. Louis Thursday timing
Thursday's rain is expected first, not the strongest storms. That early window matters because it sets up the rest of the day: once the rain arrives, damaging wind gusts and some localized flash flooding become possible later Thursday evening in southeast Missouri and southern Illinois just outside the St. Louis region.
The forecast also points to a split across the area. Much of the region north of Interstate 44 carries the lower Level 1 risk, while the higher Level 2 risk is aimed at the southern side. That means the same system is not expected to behave the same way everywhere at once.
Friday storms around St. Louis
Friday starts weaker, with scattered showers around St. Louis during the morning and early afternoon. The stronger period returns later, with heavier storms more likely between 8 p.m. and midnight for St. Louis City and neighboring counties.
Some counties north and west of St. Louis could see intense storms as early as 6 p.m. Friday. Heavy rain, thunder and gusty winds are possible, and the Storm Prediction Center again places much of the St. Louis region in Level 1 for Friday.
Metro East through early Saturday
The latest window extends into early Saturday morning for the Metro East. That puts the end of the event after the Friday evening round, not before it, and leaves the strongest timing details to the hours between sunset and midnight Friday.
For readers in the path, the practical takeaway is to watch the Thursday afternoon changeover first, then the Friday evening round. Weather In Kansas City: Storms Return With 1/5 Severe Risk shows how quickly these setups can tighten over a regional forecast area, and this one still leaves the exact neighborhood-by-neighborhood intensity to unfold.
