ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis region is bracing for its first severe storms of 2025, with nocturnal tornadoes, dangerous winds, and golfball-size hail forecast to hit the area Friday evening.
The St. Louis National Weather Service’s top official issued a dire warning ahead of the storm.
“I’ve never done this in my career,” Acting Meteorologist in Charge Kevin Deitsch said in a message to his NWS partners. “This is a life-threatening situation.”
A Weather Impact Alert has been issued by 5 On Your Side meteorologists from 6 p.m. Friday through midnight
The bullseye of the severe weather threat is right over the St. Louis region. The Storm Prediction Center has issued the second-highest level of severe weather risk for the area.
5 On Your Side Meteorologists have been cautioning all week about the possibility of a very quick but intense band of storms that could produce strong tornadoes.
The speed at which the system is moving may also not give a lot of warning time to residents in the path of a twister. Because of the fast-moving nature of these storms, know where to go, and have a plan! These storms will be racing and could impact residents very quickly after a warm, windy, and sunny day. Especially ones that move through after the sun sets.
- Download the free 5 On Your Side app to get the latest watches and warnings and track conditions live with our interactive radar. Use the links below to download now.
- Make sure emergency alerts are enabled on your smartphone.
- Buy a NOAA weather radio, which will loudly sound alerts when a National Weather Service tornado or severe thunderstorm water or warning is issued.
- Register with the St. Louis County Emergency Management Agency for weather and emergency alerts by texting SLCOEM to 78015.
- Download the Federal Emergency Management Agency app and allow it to send emergency pushes.
