St. Louis, MO – Eastern Missouri is heading into a wet and potentially slippery stretch of weather from December 18–24, with NOAA’s long-range outlook showing above-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation across the region. While these warmer readings limit early snow chances, they significantly increase the risk for freezing rain, sleet, and heavy rain, particularly as colder air approaches closer to Christmas Eve.
According to NOAA, the I-44 and I-55 corridors, including St. Louis, Arnold, Festus, and Farmington, will begin the week with cold rainfall. Overnight lows between December 19–21 may dip close to freezing—especially in outlying rural counties—creating conditions favorable for patchy freezing drizzle or light glaze ice early in the morning.
Farther west into Franklin, Crawford, and Phelps counties, terrain and slightly cooler temperatures could allow for brief periods of sleet or freezing rain, mainly during overnight and pre-dawn hours. Even small amounts of ice can create hazardous travel on bridges and elevated roadways.
Northern portions of eastern Missouri—including St. Charles, Troy, Warrenton, and Bowling Green—sit in a transitional zone where rain may mix with sleet or wet snow later in the period. Cooling from December 22–24 may shift lingering precipitation toward a wintry mix as Christmas Eve approaches.
While significant snowfall is unlikely, travel disruptions remain a concern due to fluctuating temperatures and intermittent icing threats.
Major travel routes—including I-64, I-70, I-44, I-55, and U.S. 61—may experience wet roads, fog, patchy ice, and delays, particularly December 21–24.
