ST. LOUIS — The rain started up Thursday and continued through Friday. Inches of rain have already fallen across most of the bi-state. The map below is a radar indicated estimate of rain totals for the 5 On Your Side coverage area.
In most places the ground is completely saturated and water is forced to runoff. Even more rain is in the forecast Friday night and it will overwhelm creeks, streams and drainage areas. There will be a risk for flash flooding through Saturday.
Along with the lines of heavy rain, there will be a slight risk for severe storms Friday night. The greatest issue will be the rain, but there will also be strong wind gusts. Thunderstorms tracking through may also generate hail and brief tornadoes.
Several counties are under an Areal Flood Warning. For those areas flooding will be more gradual, but still anticipated. Most warnings are posted through Saturday morning.
By the time the rain stops most areas will have close to four inches of rainfall. A few areas where the thunderstorms come through will have even higher rain totals. River levels are also expected to rise to flood level in many areas across Missouri and Illinois.
The heaviest rainfall and strongest winds will hit St. Louis around midnight Friday. Rain will continue through Saturday morning at a moderate rate. The rain will shift to snow in the evening Saturday. Snow will be light will not amount to much for the St. Louis Metro area.
Only trace to 0.5 inches of snow is expected for St. Louis. If you live further west of the metro area, you could see more sticking snow. A winter weather advisory has been issued for Pike, Montgomery, Gasconade, Lincoln, Warren, Franklin, Crawford, Phelps and Dent counties. Those areas will see up to 2 inches of snow and 1/10 inch of ice.
Icing will be a concern for Sunday morning. Temperatures will plummet into the mid 20s overnight Saturday and cause widespread freezing by Sunday morning. Roadways and surfaces will be slick posing a risk for both drivers and pedestrians.
The sun will break through Sunday and help melt away Saturday's snow and ice. Temperatures will warm into the low 40s.
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