ST. LOUIS – The primary concern for Tuesday is the critical fire weather for central/SE Missouri. The combination of gusty winds, dry fuels and low relative humidity will lead to the rapid spread and growth of uncontrolled fires.
Southerly flow has taken control and will continue to draw in the warmth for St. Louis Tuesday. After a mild morning in the 50s, temperatures Tuesday afternoon will continue their climb to near 80 F.
Wind speeds remain elevated Tuesday night in response to a deepening low in the Plains that will bring the next bout of rain and storms Wednesday afternoon. This system doesn’t appear to stabilize until it moves further towards eastern Illinois and into Indiana. The most extreme part of this system will be the non-thunderstorm winds near gusts of 45-50 MPH through Wednesday. Additional wind products will likely be issued.
That boundary moves east but the wrap around moisture into Thursday morning will transition rain into snow as the air cools. Ground temperatures are far too warm for any of this to stick.
Cooler for Thursday, which is also the first day of spring. Temperatures will be below normal by about 5-10 degrees. We remain dry through the daytime hours Friday before our next system brings rain Friday evening overnight into early Saturday.
Fire Weather Warning: Gasconade, Franklin, Crawford, Phelps, Washington, Saint Francois, Dent, Iron, Madison (MO), & Reynolds will be in effect starting at 12 p.m. through 8 p.m. Tuesday night.