Winter in St. Louis is usually a coin toss. You might get a mild breeze or a face-numbing blast of Arctic air that makes you regret every life choice that led you to the Midwest.
Honestly, tonight is leaning toward the latter. If you're looking at the sky right now and seeing those heavy clouds, don't let them fool you into thinking it's "insulated" or "trapping the heat." That's a classic rookie mistake. The mercury is about to take a serious dive.
St. Louis Weather Tonight: The Real Numbers
Basically, we're looking at a transition from a gray, cloudy day into a night that starts to clear out, but brings the chill with it. According to the latest data from the local monitoring stations, the temperature is currently sitting at 31°F. That sounds manageable, right?
It’s not.
With the wind coming in from the southwest at 5 mph, it actually feels like 27°F. You’ve got to account for that "feels like" factor if you’re planning on being out near the Arch or even just walking the dog in Tower Grove.
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By the time we hit the late-night hours, the clouds are going to break up. The forecast calls for clear with periodic clouds overnight. While that sounds pretty, it’s also the perfect setup for radiational cooling. Without that cloud cover acting like a blanket, the heat from the day—what little there was—just escapes into the atmosphere.
Why the Wind Matters More Than You Think
The wind isn't exactly howling, but it’s shifting. We've seen a southwest flow today, but as the night progresses, we're expecting it to pick up slightly and move more toward the west at about 8 mph.
- Current Temp: 31°F
- Overnight Low: 19°F
- Wind Speed: 8 mph (West)
- Precipitation Chance: 10% (Snow flurries)
That 19°F low is the real kicker. It’s a significant drop from the daytime high of 33°F. If you’re not prepared for a sub-20-degree night, you’re going to have a rough morning.
Snow or Just a Scare?
You might have heard some chatter about snow. There is a 10% chance of some light snow flurries tonight. Don’t go rushing out to Schnucks for milk and bread just yet. We aren’t looking at an accumulation event. It’s more of that "pretty for five minutes then gone" kind of snow.
Humidity is hovering around 44% for the night, which is actually relatively dry for us. It means the air will feel crisp, maybe even a bit sharp.
What to Actually Do About It
Most people just turn up the thermostat and call it a day, but there are a few things you should probably handle before you hit the hay tonight.
First, check your tire pressure. These sudden drops—going from the 30s down into the teens—are exactly what triggers those annoying dashboard sensors. Cold air is denser, and your tires will likely look a little low by 6:00 AM.
Second, if you’ve got any sensitive plants on a porch or balcony, bring them in. A 19°F night is a "killing frost" for most things that aren't meant to be outside in a Missouri winter.
Lastly, if you're a commuter, give yourself an extra five minutes tomorrow. Even with a low 10% chance of snow, any moisture on the roads combined with a 19-degree low can lead to some slick spots, especially on overpasses like I-64 or the Poplar Street Bridge.
Stay warm, St. Louis. It’s going to be a cold one.
Actionable Insights:
- Protect your pipes: If you live in an older home in Soulard or South City, maybe leave a slow drip in the faucets on the exterior walls.
- Layer up: Tomorrow morning's "feels like" temp will likely be in the low teens.
- Battery check: Extreme cold is the #1 killer of older car batteries; if yours struggled this morning, it might give up the ghost tonight.