St. Louis is waking up to a beautiful Wednesday with mostly sunny skies and a high near 81°F—about 5 to 15 degrees above average for late April.
Today is your golden ticket to get outside and enjoy spring before a significant weather system moves in Thursday night. The National Weather Service forecasters are expecting light southwest winds around 8 mph throughout the day, making conditions ideal for just about any outdoor activity you’ve been putting off. If you’re planning to head to Forest Park, catch a game at Busch Stadium, or simply take a walk along the Gateway Arch grounds, Wednesday is the day to do it. Pollen counts are likely elevated with all this warm air and sunshine, so if you’re sensitive, consider wearing a pollen count face mask during peak afternoon hours and keep an allergy relief nasal spray handy.
Thursday will be even warmer—topping out near 83°F—but with breezy south winds gusting as high as 26 mph. That’s still a nice day to be outside, though you might want to secure any loose outdoor furniture or decorations. Allergy sufferers should note that breezy conditions can kick up more pollen; an HEPA air purifier or air quality monitor indoor in your home will help you breathe easier when you head inside.
Here’s where it gets interesting: Thursday night into Friday, we’re expecting widespread rainfall and a good chance of thunderstorms. The National Weather Service has high confidence (80–90%) in this system. While severe storms are more likely to our west and southwest, a few storms in our area could produce damaging wind gusts. This is not a severe weather threat for St. Louis proper, but it’s definitely something to monitor if you’re planning outdoor events Friday.
If you’ve been thinking about spring yard work, now is the time. Apply lawn fertilizer spring before the rain arrives, and consider a rain garden plant kit to help manage runoff from the upcoming storms. The moisture will be excellent for establishing new plants.
For dinner tonight, take advantage of the mild weather and fire up the grill—a simple steak and vegetable dinner pairs perfectly with an 81-degree evening. If grilling isn’t in the cards, a light pasta or stir-fry works just as well for any weather. Did you know you can order groceries on Amazon? Get everything you need for tonight’s dinner delivered straight to your door.
Looking ahead: Showers and thunderstorms will dominate Friday, with another round of rain possible Sunday night into Monday. By next week, things should dry out and warm up again. Check back for updates as the system approaches—conditions could change slightly with timing and intensity.
Stay weather-aware, St. Louis. Enjoy today and Thursday while you can!
