The city is gearing up for a double hit of winter weather as two back-to-back ice storms are expected to bring dangerous freezing rain, slick roads, and the possibility of power outages. The National Weather Service has issued Winter Weather Advisories, warning that the storms could create hazardous travel and leave lasting impacts on the region.
Residents are being urged to prepare for what could be several days of challenging conditions. With freezing rain expected to coat surfaces, officials are sounding the alarm about treacherous roadways, potential power failures, and falling tree limbs due to ice buildup.
What’s Happening Right Now?
St. Louis is experiencing cloudy conditions with a current temperature of 42°F (5°C). But don’t let the calm fool you. As temperatures drop overnight and cold air sweeps in, the stage is set for ice to form, especially on bridges, overpasses, and untreated roads.
What’s the Timeline for the Ice Storms?
The first wave of freezing rain is expected to hit Wednesday afternoon and extend into Thursday morning. During this period, a thin but dangerous layer of ice could accumulate on roads and sidewalks, making travel hazardous. As if that weren’t enough, a second, potentially stronger storm is forecasted to arrive over the weekend, bringing additional freezing rain and even some heavy snow.
The combination of these two storms could leave parts of St. Louis dealing with icy conditions well into early next week.
Your Day-by-Day Forecast
- Friday, February 7: Cooler with early sunshine before clouds roll in and bring a chance of showers in the afternoon. High: 42°F (6°C), Low: 35°F (2°C).
- Saturday, February 8: Breezy and warmer, but rain and even a possible thunderstorm could disrupt the day. High: 49°F (10°C), Low: 25°F (-4°C).
- Sunday, February 9: Mostly sunny, but much cooler as the second storm begins to wind down. High: 35°F (2°C), Low: 26°F (-3°C).
- Monday, February 10: Cloudy and chilly with lingering winter conditions. High: 36°F (2°C), Low: 27°F (-3°C).
- Tuesday, February 11: A chance of afternoon snow could make things even trickier. High: 33°F (1°C), Low: 22°F (-6°C).
Why These Storms Are Such a Big Deal
This isn’t your average winter inconvenience. Freezing rain is a silent danger because it doesn’t pile up like snow. Instead, it creates a slick, invisible layer of ice that can cause cars to skid, people to slip, and power lines to collapse under the weight of ice-covered tree limbs…