St. Louis, MO – A broad freeze warning across eastern Missouri and western Illinois is expected to bring dangerously cold conditions through 9 a.m. Tuesday, with temperatures plunging as low as 23°F.
According to the National Weather Service in St. Louis, the warning includes a wide swath of central, northeast, and southeast Missouri—including Columbia, Jefferson City, and Farmington—along with parts of southwest and west central Illinois, such as Quincy, Belleville, and Edwardsville. The first round of sub-freezing temperatures arrived early Monday, with another wave forecast to hit overnight into Tuesday morning.
The agency warns that frost and freezing temperatures could kill newly planted crops, damage sensitive vegetation, and potentially harm unprotected outdoor plumbing. Temperatures are expected to dip well below typical April averages, which usually range between the upper 30s and mid-40s at night in this region.
Residents are urged to cover plants, bring potted greenery indoors, and insulate exposed pipes. Those in rural areas or valleys should take extra precautions, as colder air can settle more intensely in low-lying zones.
More counties across both states could see agricultural and infrastructure challenges if these conditions persist. The freeze warning will expire at 9 a.m. Tuesday, but residents should monitor updates for any extensions.
