So, you’re looking at the sky in St. Louis and wondering if you can finally put the heavy parka away or if you need to buy another bag of ice melt. Honestly, if you've lived here long enough, you know the "Gateway to the West" weather is basically a mood ring. One day it’s 60 degrees and you’re thinking about a patio lunch at McGurk’s, and the next, you’re scraping a quarter-inch of sleet off your windshield while questioning all your life choices.
Right now, the St. Louis 20 day forecast is looking like a classic Midwestern rollercoaster. We are currently sitting in a bit of a transition period, and if you aren't prepared for the shift coming in late January, you’re gonna have a bad time.
The Immediate Chill and the Fake-Out
Today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, we’ve got a high of 30°F. It’s cloudy, it’s gray, and it feels like typical January. But don't let that 30-degree mark fool you. With the southwest wind kicking around 8 to 10 mph, it’s feeling more like 5°F or 15°F depending on where you're standing.
Tomorrow is where it gets really interesting. We’re looking at a high of only 19°F for Monday, January 19. That is cold. Like, "don't leave your dog outside for more than five minutes" cold. The wind is shifting to the northwest, bringing in that biting Arctic air that meteorologists love to talk about.
Then, because St. Louis loves to mess with us, Tuesday and Wednesday (Jan 20-21) jump back up. We’re talking 39°F on Tuesday and a downright balmy 43°F on Wednesday. You’ll see people in shorts. I’m not joking. You know that one guy in South City who wears cargo shorts when it hits 40? He’ll be out there.
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The Big January 25th Storm
If you’re planning anything for next weekend, listen up. The data for Sunday, January 25, is showing a high of 30°F with a 65% chance of a "heavy snow storm" at night. Earlier in the day, it might start as a messy rain and snow mix.
This is the classic St. Louis trap.
When the temperature hovers right around freezing, we get that heavy, wet snow that breaks tree limbs and knocks out power in places like Webster Groves or Kirkwood where the trees are older than most of the houses. The low that night is expected to tank to 7°F. That means whatever slush falls during the day is going to turn into a solid sheet of "Good Luck" by Monday morning.
What the Rest of the Month Looks Like
After that potential storm on the 25th, the fridge door stays open.
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- Monday, Jan 26: High of 18°F, low of 7°F.
- Tuesday, Jan 27: High of 20°F.
- Wednesday, Jan 28: High of 30°F with some light snow.
Basically, the final week of January is going to be a struggle. We’re seeing a persistent pattern of Arctic air sticking around. According to the National Weather Service discussions, this is part of a broader trend where the "coldest air stays bottled up" north for a few days before a short wave digs in and drags a cold front through Missouri.
Historically, January is our driest month, but when we do get moisture, it counts. We average about 18 inches of snow per season, and a single late-January storm can easily knock out a third of that total in 24 hours.
Looking Into Early February
Looking further out toward the 20-day mark, which takes us into the first week of February, things might—might—start to moderate. AccuWeather and other long-range models suggest we could see temperatures climb back into the 40s by February 6.
But here’s the thing: February in St. Louis is notoriously fickle. Remember that Farmers' Almanac prediction? They called for a season of "dramatic swings." So far, they aren't wrong. We’re seeing these 20-degree jumps and drops every few days.
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Actionable Tips for the Next 20 Days
Look, I’m not your mom, but you should probably do a few things before that Jan 25th system hits.
First, check your car battery. Lead-acid batteries hate the 7°F lows we’re seeing next week. If your car struggled to start this morning when it was 15°F, it’s going to give up the ghost when it hits single digits.
Second, if you have outdoor spigots, make sure the hoses are off. I know, you meant to do it in November. Just go do it now.
Third, keep an eye on the "Feels Like" temp, not just the high. On Monday the 19th, even though the high is 19°F, the wind chill is going to be sub-zero in the morning. That’s frostbite territory for exposed skin in under 30 minutes.
Finally, buy your bread and milk now if you're the type to panic. Don't be the person at Schnucks fighting over the last gallon of 2% on Saturday night while the snow is already falling.
St. Louis weather is a lot of things, but it’s rarely boring. Stay warm out there, keep the salt handy for the 25th, and maybe keep those cargo shorts in the drawer for at least another few weeks.