ST. LOUIS, Mo. – A sharp drop in nighttime temperatures will bring the first widespread frost threat of the season to much of eastern and central Missouri tonight and again Thursday night, potentially endangering unprotected plants in rural and sheltered areas.
According to the National Weather Service in St. Louis, temperatures are expected to fall into the middle and upper 30s by early Thursday morning, with similar readings again late Thursday into Friday morning. Light winds and clear skies will enhance cooling, allowing frost to develop, especially along and north of the I-70 corridor and in outlying valleys.
Gardeners and homeowners are urged to take precautions by covering tender vegetation or bringing potted plants indoors. The NWS noted that frost advisories may be issued if conditions continue to trend colder, particularly for counties including Boone, Franklin, Pike, Lincoln, and Warren.
The cold pattern follows several mild days, marking a clear sign of the seasonal transition into late October. While daytime highs will still reach the 50s and 60s, overnight lows in the 30s will make early mornings feel sharply colder. Motorists could encounter patchy fog near river valleys around daybreak.
Officials recommend checking outdoor plumbing and pet enclosures, and allowing extra time for morning commutes if frost or fog forms on windshields. Warmer air is expected to return by the weekend as southerly flow redevelops.
