ST. LOUIS – Make sure you’re weather-prepared this Independence Day. Two rounds of storms are expected in the St. Louis region through the late evening hours of the Fourth of July.
One storm system will likely emerge late Wednesday evening and carry over into Thursday morning. The next one could make way into the St. Louis region by late Thursday evening.
Both systems could impact various Fourth of July events planned for the morning or evening hours, most notably parades and fireworks celebrations. It could also make it tricky to plan family events of outdoor activities for the day.
Here’s a closer look at the timing of both anticipated storm systems:
Round 1 (Wednesday PM to Thursday AM)
The first round of July 4th storms could move in around midnight for some counties in the western part of the region. The heaviest of impacts are expected from 1 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Scattered rain and thunderstorm chances are expected through the early-morning hours. Most counties neighboring St. Louis City and St. Louis County should expect to see storms by 3 a.m. Some spots may see up to three inches of rain from this system.
Storms are expected to clear east toward Illinois by 10 a.m. and out of the St. Louis metro by noon. This opens a window for several dry and warm hours during the middle of the day, although likely humid.
Round 2 (Thursday PM)
The second round of July 4th storms could move in as early as 8 p.m. Thursday for some counties in the western part of the region. The heaviest of impacts are expected from 9 p.m. to midnight.
Like the first round of storms, this system looks to bring mostly scattered rain and thunderstorm chances. Most counties neighboring St. Louis City and St. Louis County should expect to see storms, though initial projections show these storms could be most intense south of the I-44 corridor.
Be ready to adjust your holiday plans as weather permits, and download the FOX 2 News and Weather apps to stay on top of ever-changing conditions.