St. Louis, Missouri – The first weekend of the new year brings a quiet but noticeable shift in weather across eastern Missouri and southwest Illinois, with temperatures starting near seasonal levels before climbing into milder territory by Sunday.
According to the National Weather Service in St. Louis, highs through Saturday remain close to normal for early January, generally ranging from the mid-30s to mid-40s. Cloud cover lingers through the end of the workweek, keeping skies mostly gray across the region, including St. Louis, St. Charles, Belleville, and Alton.
Friday stays mostly cloudy, with afternoon temperatures topping out between 35 and 45 degrees. Morning lows settle into the 20s, which may allow for patchy frost on untreated surfaces, though no precipitation is expected. Roads remain dry, and no travel issues are anticipated.
Saturday brings subtle improvement as clouds begin to break at times. Highs again range from the upper 30s to mid-40s, with scattered cloud cover replacing the thicker overcast seen earlier in the week. Outdoor plans should have minimal weather disruptions, aside from cool morning conditions.
The most noticeable change arrives Sunday. As cloud cover thins further, temperatures climb into the low to mid-40s, with some spots potentially approaching 50 degrees during the afternoon. Sunshine increases across the region, making it the brightest and mildest day of the weekend.
Overnight lows through the weekend remain in the 20s, so residents are still encouraged to protect sensitive outdoor plumbing and allow pets adequate shelter during the colder nights. With no rain or snow expected, the overall pattern stays calm and manageable.
Forecasters note that this gradual warming trend could continue into early next week, though additional updates will refine the outlook. For now, the St. Louis region can expect a dry, seasonable start to the weekend followed by a milder, brighter Sunday.
