ST. LOUIS — Updated:
Tuesday evening remains a Weather Alert Day for the St. Louis area due to gusty winds and an evening strong storm chance. Winds were gusty for much of the day Tuesday into Tuesday afternoon. Wind gusts reached 44 m.p.h at the Vichy-Rolla airport and 38 m.p.h in Litchfield, Illinois. Most of the metro area saw winds around 30-35 m.p.h.
The cold front moves through the area by 10 p.m. bringing an end to any chance of rain or thunder. Much colder air returns overnight into Wednesday morning. Low temperatures will drop into the 20s with wind chills in the teens early Wednesday.
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The Storm Prediction Center has targeted a large area from the Missouri Bootheel down the Mississippi River into Mississippi and Louisiana with a moderate risk of severe weather. That's a level four out of five.
Some of the storms from Memphis south may produce all forms of severe weather including tornadoes.
While there is a risk for a strong storm or two locally, the main severe risk looks to be much farther south of our area. Gusty winds will be the biggest storm threat locally between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.
The strong cold front will be moving into the St. Louis area after sunset Tuesday.
A line of scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop along the cold front. A few of the storms could be severe with damaging wind gusts being the biggest threat locally.
Winds turn to the west and northwest after the front passes allowing colder air to return to the area. Thunderstorms will move away from our area.
Temperatures will fall well below average on Wednesday and Thursday as colder air settles into the St. Louis area. Highs on Wednesday will only top out in the 30s along with a cold breeze.
