St. Louis Weather

St Louis WeatherOne of the cities that serves as a bridge between the Eastern and Western United State, the weather in St. Louis is not for those who aren't willing to adapt to changes as they come along. The climate in the St. Louis Metro area can be downright temperamental and difficult to predict, regardless of the season, so visitors and residents alike know to always be prepared for the unexpected. Yet, it remains one of the country's most beautiful cities, with lush greenery and flowers in the warmer months, and colorful foliage in the cooler parts of the year. Without the unpredictable storms, such natural beauty might never exist.

St. Louis has four distinct seasons, and unlike much of the Mid-Atlantic and Southern regions, they do not blend seamlessly into one another. December and January have temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, while June and July are typical summer months, with an average temperature of 89. Spring and Autumn tend to be comfortable, but vary widely from year to year. Temperatures typically hover in the 50s and 60s for five months out of each year, making the area an extremely enjoyable one for those who prefer to spend time pursuing outdoor activities.

However, one of the things that sets the climate of St. Louis apart is the high relative humidity. In the Spring months, it is comparable to what you'd find in Southern cities with short winters and frequent precipitation, such as Atlanta, Raleigh, Jacksonville, and New Orleans. In the summer months, the weather more resembles that of cities such as Philadelphia and New York City, which typically have highs in the 80s, but very high relative humidity. The levels of humidity begin to drop off during the Autumn months, leading to Winter being one of the driest seasons, an anomaly for the area. This unusual pattern of weather is only found in a relatively narrow band of the country, frequently labeled "Tornado Alley".

St. Louis experiences particularly strong thunderstorms in the Spring months, and hail damage is common. On average, the city will see fifty days of thunderstorms per year, putting it on par with cities on the Gulf Coast. Tornado activity is common in both the Spring and Autumn. Unlike other cities where precipitation occurs one-third of the year, St. Louis will see two weeks of storms, followed by a dry spell. Residents have learned to travel with an umbrella in tow.

St. Louis also has frequent Indian Summers, where the warm weather extends into November. On occasion, flowers may still be in bloom during December. The unpredictable nature of the area's weather makes it a beautiful place to visit or to call home, but it certainly keeps residents on their toes!