Alert archive / Missouri / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 43, NWS St. Louis, MO

July 4, 2026Saint Louis County, City of Saint Louis, Missouri

NWS St. Louis, MO issued this flash flood warning at Jul 4, 2026, 2:26 PM CDT for Saint Louis County, City of Saint Louis, Missouri. It was in force for 5 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Jul 4, 2026, 2:26 PM CDT (19:26 UTC)
Expired
Jul 4, 2026, 7:14 PM CDT
In force
5 hr
Issued by
NWS St. Louis, MO
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties City of Saint Louis, MO, Saint Louis County, MO

The radar

The St Louis radar (KLSX), 33 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:27 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this flash flood warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 12:00Z, 7.4 hours before the alert went out and 211 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Lincoln, IL at 12:00Z on 2026-07-04Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1075 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Lincoln, IL at 12:00Z on 2026-07-04The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 126 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
1075 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-92 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1043 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
28 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
126 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
88 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
2.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

288 
WGUS53 KLSX 041926
FFWLSX
MOC189-510-042230-
/O.NEW.KLSX.FF.W.0043.260704T1926Z-260704T2230Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service St Louis MO
226 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026

The National Weather Service in St Louis has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Northeastern Saint Louis County in east central Missouri...
  Northeastern Saint Louis City in east central Missouri...

* Until 530 PM CDT.

* At 226 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain over Spanish Lake. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain have
  fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
           highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
           drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Black Jack, Bellefontaine Neighbors, St. Louis, Ferguson, Dellwood,
  Florissant, Jennings, Hazelwood, Berkeley, Normandy, Northwoods,
  St. John, Bridgeton, St. Ann, Overland, University City, Olivette
  and Maryland Heights.

This includes Interstate 70 in Missouri near exit 231.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

&&

LAT...LON 3868 9046 3871 9053 3873 9053 3876 9049
      3882 9045 3883 9043 3882 9037 3885 9034
      3888 9034 3889 9032 3889 9030 3885 9026
      3882 9020 3882 9018 3883 9014 3881 9012
      3877 9017 3873 9021 3870 9021 3867 9019

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

BSH
3 follow-up statements
721 
WGUS53 KLSX 042133
FFWLSX
MOC189-510-050030-
/O.EXT.KLSX.FF.W.0043.000000T0000Z-260705T0030Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service St Louis MO
433 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026

The National Weather Service in St Louis has extended the

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Northeastern Saint Louis County in east central Missouri...
  Northeastern Saint Louis City in east central Missouri...

* Until 730 PM CDT.

* At 433 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain over Spanish Lake. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain have
  fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
           highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
           drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Black Jack, Bellefontaine Neighbors, St. Louis, Ferguson, Dellwood,
  Florissant, Jennings, Hazelwood, Berkeley, Normandy, Northwoods,
  St. John, Bridgeton, St. Ann, Overland, University City, Olivette
  and Maryland Heights.

This includes Interstate 70 in Missouri near exit 231.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

&&

LAT...LON 3868 9046 3871 9053 3873 9053 3876 9049
      3882 9045 3883 9043 3882 9037 3885 9034
      3888 9034 3889 9032 3889 9030 3885 9026
      3882 9020 3882 9018 3883 9014 3881 9012
      3877 9017 3873 9021 3870 9021 3867 9019

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

BSH
409 
WGUS73 KLSX 042339
FFSLSX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service St Louis MO
639 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026

MOC189-510-050030-
/O.CON.KLSX.FF.W.0043.000000T0000Z-260705T0030Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Saint Louis MO-Saint Louis City MO-
639 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT THIS
EVENING FOR NORTHEASTERN SAINT LOUIS COUNTY AND THE NORTHEASTERN
SAINT LOUIS CITY...

At 639 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicates thunderstorms produced heavy
rain over northern St. Louis County and City. Between 1 and 3 inches
of rain have fallen. Flooding impacts will continue, but no
additional rainfall is expected. Flash flooding is ongoing or
expected to begin shortly.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
         highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
         drainage and low-lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Black Jack, Bellefontaine Neighbors, St. Louis, Ferguson, Dellwood,
  Florissant, Jennings, Hazelwood, Berkeley, Normandy, Northwoods,
  St. John, Bridgeton, St. Ann, Overland, University City, Olivette
  and Maryland Heights.

This includes Interstate 70 in Missouri near exit 231.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

&&

LAT...LON 3868 9046 3871 9053 3873 9053 3876 9049
      3882 9045 3883 9043 3882 9037 3885 9034
      3888 9034 3889 9032 3889 9030 3885 9026
      3882 9020 3882 9018 3883 9014 3881 9012
      3877 9017 3873 9021 3870 9021 3867 9019

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$
296 
WGUS73 KLSX 050014
FFSLSX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service St Louis MO
714 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026

MOC189-510-050024-
/O.CAN.KLSX.FF.W.0043.000000T0000Z-260705T0030Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Saint Louis MO-Saint Louis City MO-
714 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR NORTHEASTERN SAINT LOUIS
COUNTY AND THE NORTHEASTERN SAINT LOUIS CITY...

Flood waters have receded. The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no
longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to heed remaining
road closures.

&&

LAT...LON 3868 9046 3871 9053 3873 9053 3876 9049
      3882 9045 3883 9043 3882 9037 3885 9034
      3888 9034 3889 9032 3889 9030 3885 9026
      3882 9020 3882 9018 3883 9014 3881 9012
      3877 9017 3873 9021 3870 9021 3867 9019

$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS St. Louis, MO wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Jul 4, 1:07 PM CDT, 1 hour 19 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Dangerously hot and humid conditions with heat index values from around 100-105 continue today. Heat Advisories and an Extreme Heat Warning remain in effect until 800 PM.
  • There is a chance for thunderstorms today and tonight. Some storms may be strong to severe and capable of producing 50-60 mph winds as well as hail up to 1 inch in diameter and locally heavy downpours.
  • The chance for showers and thunderstorms continues into early next week, with temperatures closer to normal in the mid 80s to around 90.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 4, 1:07 PM CDT, 1 hour 19 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion...Updated Aviation
National Weather Service Saint Louis MO
107 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Dangerously hot and humid conditions with heat index values
  from around 100-105 continue today. Heat Advisories and an
  Extreme Heat Warning remain in effect until 800 PM.

- There is a chance for thunderstorms today and tonight. Some
  storms may be strong to severe and capable of producing 50-60
  mph winds as well as hail up to 1 inch in diameter and locally
  heavy downpours.

- The chance for showers and thunderstorms continues into early
  next week, with temperatures closer to normal in the mid 80s to
  around 90.

&&

.SHORT TERM...  (Through Late Tonight)
Issued at 343 AM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026

Convective trends are very difficult to forecast today. Clusters
of thunderstorms over northwest Missouri and central Illinois are
pushing outflow boundaries east and south respectively. More
convection may continue to pop up over central Missouri as well,
which will reinforce the boundary if it gets strong enough. Either
boundary is a potential focus for thunderstorm development today,
and the boundaries could collide which would also be a great
forcing mechanism for convective development.

Clouds from morning convection that linger into the afternoon and/or
continuing scattered afternoon convection would almost certainly
suppress temperatures and end the excessive heat today. However,
timing and coverage is uncertain given the complex interactions
which will take place today.  If coverage remains limited this
morning, temperatures could easily recover to reach heat index
values between 95-105. While this isn't as hot as earlier in the
week, the duration of this heat wave continues to support the
current headlines, particularly since there will be a lot of people
outside for Independence Day celebrations. GFS and RAP show 2000-
4000 J/Kg CAPE developing this afternoon with as much as 25kts of
deep layer shear.  This would support multi-cell clusters with the
potential to produce damaging winds.  Think the chance for
thunderstorms will generally decrease in the evening with loss of
daytime heating, but there will still be a lingering thunderstorm
threat to Independence Day celebrations beyond sunset.

Carney

&&

.LONG TERM...  (Sunday through Friday)
Issued at 343 AM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026

There's little change to the remainder of the forecast for Sunday
through next Friday.  A short wave digs into the Mississippi Valley
Sunday which pushes a weak cold front through the area.  Global
guidance members diverge somewhat Monday in how they handle the
wave.  The GFS digs the base of the trough deep into the Lower
Mississippi Valley where it fractures late Tuesday leaving a cut off
low over eastern Texas/western Louisiana.  The ECMWF begins this
process much earlier on Monday night which puts the cut off low
farther north over Oklahoma and Arkansas.  The more northern
solution seems to be favored by the NBM and the LREF mean which are
keeping precipitation chances going at least through Tuesday as the
closed low moves slowly northeast and is finally reintegrated into
the mean flow.  While there's a relatively dry period on Wednesday,
precipitation chances return Thursday and Friday as another short
wave moves across the Mid Mississippi Valley.  Temperatures through
the period should be closer to seasonal normal as upper level long
wave ridging will remain well west of the area.

Carney

&&

.AVIATION...  (For the 18z TAFs through 18z Sunday Afternoon)
Issued at 1255 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026

There is a threat for multiple rounds of thunderstorms at all of
the local terminals through the TAF period. Isolated to scattered
showers and storms are in the broader vicinity of all local
terminals except for KUIN, with these posing a threat for early in
the period. Our attention then turns to a cluster of storms moving
eastward out of western Missouri and a cold front sinking
southward into the region late this afternoon and evening.
Both will serve as a focus for a greater threat of thunderstorms
capable of erratic, gusty winds and heavy rainfall. Confidence is
low on the timing of these stronger storms, so chances have been
left to PROB30 groups for now. Once confidence increases, TEMPO or
prevailing groups will be needed for some of the terminals. A lull
in rain chances is expected tonight, with a low chance for showers
and thunderstorms again late in the period tomorrow.

Elmore

&&

.LSX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MO...Heat Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for Audrain MO-
     Crawford MO-Iron MO-Knox MO-Lewis MO-Lincoln MO-Madison MO-
     Marion MO-Monroe MO-Pike MO-Ralls MO-Reynolds MO-Saint
     Francois MO-Shelby MO-Washington MO.

     Extreme Heat Warning until 8 PM CDT this evening for Boone MO-
     Callaway MO-Cole MO-Franklin MO-Gasconade MO-Jefferson MO-
     Moniteau MO-Montgomery MO-Osage MO-Saint Charles MO-Saint
     Louis City MO-Saint Louis MO-Sainte Genevieve MO-Warren MO.

IL...Heat Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for Adams IL-Bond IL-
     Brown IL-Calhoun IL-Fayette IL-Greene IL-Jersey IL-Macoupin
     IL-Marion IL-Montgomery IL-Pike IL.

     Extreme Heat Warning until 8 PM CDT this evening for Clinton IL-
     Madison IL-Monroe IL-Randolph IL-Saint Clair IL-Washington
     IL.

&&

WFO LSX

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 4, 2:17 PM CDT, 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service St Louis MO
217 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0213 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 W California          38.63N 92.58W
07/04/2026                   Moniteau           MO   Trained Spotter

            6 inch tree limb snapped on west side of
            California with the gust front passage.

&&

AE

The office that day

Everything else NWS St. Louis, MO issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 4, 1:39 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatLSXCole, Moniteau66 min
Jul 4, 2:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatLSXBoone, Callaway, Cole, Osage75 min
Jul 4, 2:53 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLSXCrawford, Franklin, Gasconade, Warren, Washington67 min
Jul 4, 3:17 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatLSXCrawford, Washington35 min
Jul 4, 3:30 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLSXSaint Louis, City of Saint Louis45 min
Jul 4, 3:47 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLSXFranklin, Jefferson43 min
Jul 4, 4:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLSXSaint Charles, Saint Louis32 min
Jul 4, 4:26 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningLSXSaint Louis, City of Saint Louis5 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Missouri, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.