St. Louis, MO has a genuinely pleasant Thursday — partly sunny skies, a high near 73°F, and northeast winds around 9 mph. Take full advantage of it: a shortwave trough moving northeast from near the Rio Grande overnight will completely flip the pattern by Friday morning, bringing significant rain to the metro.
Today’s Setup
High pressure parked over the Great Lakes is funneling dry, cool air into the area, holding rain chances at essentially zero today. Highs edge back above 70°F for the first time in a couple of days, and the light northeast breeze keeps humidity comfortable. Forest Park, the Mississippi Riverfront, and the Gateway Arch grounds are all excellent options this afternoon. Spring pollen runs elevated on sunny days like this — if kids are along for the ride, pack kids allergy chewables Zyrtec before you head out.
Best Window To Be Outside
The whole afternoon is yours — clean skies, low humidity, no storms in sight. Golfers should jump on it: conditions at Normandie Park or Westborough Golf Course are about as good as late May gets. If you’ve been eyeing the Callaway Big Bertha 23 Fairway Wood — $150 Shipped, today is the weather for it. Bring a Yeti rambler bottle 26oz to stay hydrated on the back nine.
Cardinals and Concerts Tonight
The St. Louis Cardinals host the Pittsburgh Pirates tonight at Busch Stadium. Clouds build through the evening but rain holds off — temperatures ease into the mid-60s for a comfortable outdoor game. Gear up with a St. Louis Cardinals jersey or St. Louis Cardinals fitted cap, and Find tickets on StubHub if you still need seats. Also downtown tonight: the MJ (Touring) show at the Fabulous Fox Theatre is a great indoor alternative for a Thursday evening out.
Friday Rain: Know the Timing
Friday brings a significant pattern change. The National Weather Service forecasts rain showers likely between 7 AM and 1 PM CT, then showers and thunderstorms likely through the afternoon — overall 70% chance of precipitation. Atmospheric moisture values of 1.4–1.8 inches support a widespread soaking, especially across the southeast metro. Get outdoor errands and yard work wrapped up today. Friday’s high holds near 72°F but will feel cooler under the clouds and rain. Friday attire: waterproof jacket, umbrella, and waterproof shoes.
Grill Tonight, Then Eye the Weekend
Tonight’s low humidity and falling temps through the 60s are tailor-made for backyard grilling. Fire up burgers, steaks, or grilled chicken with corn on the cob — use an instant-read meat thermometer for perfect doneness and a grill brush and scraper set to prep the grates. Need to stock up? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything delivered to your door before dinner.
Saturday rebounds to near 83°F with just a 22% rain chance. St. Louis City SC hosts Austin FC at Energizer Park, and Styx with special guest Cheap Trick rocks Ozarks Amphitheater the same evening — grab a Styx t-shirt and Get tickets on SeatGeek before they’re gone. The National Weather Service notes additional shower chances Sunday and Tuesday as upper-level troughs continue rolling through, but Memorial Day weekend overall trends near normal for late May in St. Louis.
