St. Louis, Mo. – After a stretch of quieter weather, showers and thunderstorms are set to return to eastern Missouri and southwest Illinois on Friday, with the highest likelihood of rain arriving Friday night. Some storms could produce locally heavy rainfall, leading to ponding on roads and reduced visibility during the evening commute and overnight hours.
According to the National Weather Service in St. Louis, scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop Friday and continue through Friday night, with the greatest rain chances between 50% and 70% during the evening and overnight period.
While widespread severe weather is not currently anticipated, thunderstorms will be capable of producing locally heavy rainfall, frequent lightning and brief gusty winds. Areas that experience repeated rounds of storms could see localized flooding in low-lying and poor drainage locations.
Communities across the St. Louis metro area, as well as surrounding portions of eastern Missouri and southwest Illinois, should be prepared for changing weather conditions Friday afternoon into the night. Motorists are encouraged to slow down during heavy rain, allow extra travel time and never drive through water-covered roadways.
Residents with outdoor events planned for Friday evening should monitor the latest forecast and have a way to receive weather alerts, as thunderstorms can develop quickly and produce dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning.
The National Weather Service will continue refining the timing and coverage of Friday’s storms. Additional advisories or flood-related alerts could be issued if heavier rainfall becomes more widespread.
