St. Louis, MO – A round of rain and thunderstorms is expected to affect the region from early Thursday morning until Friday night, bringing varying impacts depending on location, according to the National Weather Service St. Louis office. Today’s rainfall will be more scattered and focused in a narrower band, while Friday brings a broader and steadier soaking rain.
According to the National Weather Service, the highest chances for heavier showers and thunderstorms today are centered across the Ozarks and southwest Illinois, especially during the morning hours. Forecasters note that areas along and south of the I-70 corridor—including Farmington, Rolla, Festus, and parts of the St. Louis metro—may experience brief downpours and isolated thunder. While widespread flooding is not expected, any issues should remain minor or nuisance-level, mainly where thunderstorms train over the same locations.
Farther north, including the St. Louis urban core and communities such as Troy, Columbia, and Centralia, conditions stay mostly dry until later tonight. By Friday, lighter but more consistent rain spreads across the entire region, with few thunderstorms expected. NWS places Friday’s flood risk at less than 5%, as rainfall rates should remain manageable.
The agency’s graphics show near-certain rain chances across eastern Missouri and southwest Illinois for Friday, including St. Louis, Jefferson County, St. Charles County, and nearby counties. Forecasters say the rain will gradually taper late Friday night into early Saturday.
Residents planning travel along interstates I-44, I-55, I-64, and I-70 should allow extra time during the heaviest periods of rain, especially this morning in southern counties.
