St. Louis, Missouri – Thunderstorms are expected to roll through northern and central Missouri Thursday afternoon and evening, packing bursts of heavy rain, frequent lightning, and gusty winds reaching 50 mph in some spots. While widespread severe weather is not likely, isolated pockets could see minor wind damage and quick downpours into early Friday.
According to the National Weather Service in St. Louis, the most active storms will impact areas north of Interstate 70, stretching from Kirksville through Columbia and Hannibal. These storms may bring scattered power outages and knock down small tree limbs. Residents are urged to have multiple ways to receive weather warnings and seek shelter immediately if thunder is heard. Brief flooding could develop on roads during the heaviest rain.
Drivers along I-70 and US-61 should watch for sudden downpours and reduced visibility. Outdoor events and late-day travel plans across central Missouri—especially near Moberly, Mexico, and Quincy, Illinois—may need to adjust quickly if storms approach. Local officials urge everyone to remain alert and know safe shelter locations.
Storms are likely to taper off before sunrise Friday, but showers could linger into the morning commute. Additional advisories may be issued if stronger storms develop overnight.
