Severe Thunderstorms Expected Friday in St. Louis Area

ST. LOUIS — A Weather Impact Alert Day has been issued for Friday due to strong to severe thunderstorms expected to impact the area. The storms are anticipated to arrive between noon and 6 p.m., bringing threats including large hail, damaging winds, and potentially a tornado.

On Thursday, the Storm Prediction Center raised the threat level to a moderate risk, ranking it a four out of five. This decision aims to prepare residents for the possibility of disruptive weather on Friday.

Forecasters report that the primary danger will be large hail, which could exceed the size of golf balls. Although tornadoes and strong winds are possible, the economic impacts of hail could be the most significant.

Weather experts highlighted that unlike Thursday, Friday’s conditions will not feature a layer of warmer air aloft that typically reduces thunderstorm development. With temperatures forecasted to reach the upper 80s and even 90 degrees, storm energy is abundant for the storms to develop. Wind shear in the atmosphere is also expected to encourage severe thunderstorm formation.

The American Model indicates a high likelihood of severe hail throughout much of the area on Friday afternoon. Other areas may face severe weather too, though the most severe risks seem to be focused to the southeast of St. Louis.

As forecasters continue to closely monitor the situation, they note that not everyone in the region may experience rain or severe weather. The exact positioning of the weather front will be critical for determining weather outcomes.

The full extent of the storm threats remains uncertain, but forecasters advise all residents to stay informed as conditions develop.