05/29/2026
First Warn Forecast: Friday, May 29, 2026
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Showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected to increase today, especially across central and southeast Missouri where rain chances range from 60 to 80 percent.
The severe weather threat remains low through Saturday, though some storms could produce brief heavy downpours.
Rain chances continue at times through the weekend into Monday, but there will also be extended dry periods between rounds of activity.
Temperatures stay seasonable with highs mainly in the upper 70s to lower 80s through early next week.
A large omega block pattern continues to dominate the weather setup across the nation, keeping the Midwest locked into a slow-moving and somewhat stagnant pattern. This setup has allowed an elongated trough over the Plains to gradually drift eastward, helping showers and isolated thunderstorms spread farther into Missouri early this morning and eventually into additional portions of the region later today.
The highest coverage of rain and thunderstorms today will focus across central and southeast Missouri where deeper moisture and better lift are in place. Areas farther northeast toward the St. Louis metro and west-central Illinois may still see scattered activity develop later today and tonight, but coverage there should remain more isolated to scattered compared to locations farther southwest.
While thunderstorms will be possible, widespread severe weather is not anticipated. Forecast soundings continue to show weak wind shear and limited instability organization, which should prevent storms from becoming well organized. However, with atmospheric moisture levels remaining elevated, some storms may produce locally heavy downpours and occasional lightning. Ponding of water on roads during heavier rain cannot be ruled out, especially in areas that experience repeated showers.
Rain chances continue tonight into Saturday as weak disturbances and leftover convective boundaries drift through the region. Additional rounds of showers and thunderstorms may develop at times, although there will certainly be dry periods mixed in between. This is not expected to be an all-day washout for most locations, but rather an unsettled pattern with occasional rounds of rain.
Looking ahead into the remainder of the weekend, two additional disturbances may bring more scattered shower and thunderstorm chances Saturday night and again Sunday night into Monday. Current trends suggest the better rain chances remain focused across central and northeast Missouri, though portions of the St. Louis metro and southern Illinois could also see periodic activity.
By the middle of next week, upper-level ridging is expected to strengthen once again across the region, gradually reducing rain chances and allowing for a more stable weather pattern to return.
Temperatures through the period remain fairly comfortable for late May standards. Afternoon highs will generally stay in the upper 70s to lower 80s, with cooler temperatures in areas receiving more persistent clouds and rainfall. Overnight lows will remain mild, mainly in the low to middle 60s.