Best Time to Visit St. Louis, Missouri

The best time to visit St. Louis, MO, is in the spring between April and May and in the fall from September to October. These shoulder season months offer warm weather that’s perfect for exploring the city but without the stormy heat of the summer months.

The second-biggest city in Missouri, St. Louis has a humid subtropical climate, with hot sticky summers and cold, snowy winters. Thanks to the humidity, you can expect cloudy conditions and unpredictable weather year-round.

St. Louis offers varied seasons and has a fantastic variety of festivals and events throughout the year. With so much going on, it can be hard to pick the perfect time to visit. Suss out when to go with this complete St. Louis weather guide by season and month!

Weather in St. Louis

By season

Spring

Spring is a beautiful time to visit St. Louis. Vibrant flowers bloom across every inch of the city. When it comes to capturing that springtime feeling of new beginnings, St. Louis’s vibrant atmosphere is a winner. Need proof? For a beautiful floral spectacle, visit the show at the Missouri Botanical Gardens.

This short but dreamy season has perfect temperatures, and the summer humidity feels a long way away. But spring is also a rainy season in St. Louis. Pack layers and waterproof clothing so a sudden downpour doesn’t derail your travel plans.

Missouri Botanical Garden in Spring

Pleasant temperatures make spring an enjoyable time to get out and explore St. Louis. And with lovely natural surroundings, it’s also a great time to explore the great outdoors.

With endless breweries, distilleries, and wineries at your fingertips, laze away long afternoons in sunny beer gardens and pretty patios. Whether you’re a foodie or an art lover, St. Louis has a packed events schedule during this season to put a spring in your step.

Summer

The heat in St. Louis hits its peak in the summer months. The hot and muggy weather brings lots of rainfall and afternoon thunderstorms. You’ll need an umbrella and lots of flexibility to change your plans last minute.

While many people are put off by the sticky weather, hotel occupancy is still high, and prices go up in St. Louis. Schools are out, and baseball fans overlook the heat to watch the Cardinals play out the season.

Busch Stadium in Summer

There are lots of great water-themed attractions in St. Louis to help you cool off. Expect them to be busy with kids and summer tourists. Escape from the sweltering heat and wet weather by making the most of the indoor attractions in the air conditioning.

Nothing stops the party in St. Louis. From incredible fireworks displays to historic celebrations, expect to find lots of outdoor events and summer festivals to keep you occupied at this time of the year.

Fall

Relief floods St. Louis in the fall as the heat and humidity of the summer melt away. Whether you want to get stuck into city life or explore the great outdoors on one of the most popular St. Louis day trips, the pleasant weather makes this another great season for getting the most out of the city.

Forest Park in Fall

Some argue that fall is a better time to visit St. Louis than the spring months as the weather is more stable and there’s less rain. The only downside is autumn days are shorter, and you might find it a little chilly in the evenings. In fall, nighttime temperatures dip lower, and the mornings are cool. Pack a light jacket so you don’t have to abandon any of the great events on offer.

With adorable seasonal activities like pumpkin patches and apple festivals, St. Louis is a wholesome destination for an autumnal break. Golden leaves and crisp mornings create a glorious setting to wave goodbye to the summer.

Winter

Winter in St. Louis is chilly. The grueling winds can often make it feel a lot colder than it is. The first snowfall arrives by the end of the year, and chances of snow continue into the early spring. However, it’s rare for St. Louis to experience long stretches of intense cold, so it’s a nice destination if you’re looking for a frosty winter atmosphere with the extremes.

Big festivals start to wind down as the locals retreat into the warm for the winter. But there are still twinkling events bringing the holiday cheer. Since the city is less busy, you can make the most of popular St. Louis attractions without the crowds and can score great deals on hotels.

Gateway Arc in Winter

The snowy weather makes St. Louis an atmospheric place for a winter city break. Enjoy action-packed winter sports opportunities: the Gateway City is home to the largest outdoor skating rink in the Midwest. Or warm up in cozy cafes and restaurants and sample the impressive culinary scene in Downtown St. Louis.

As winter is low season, expect to find great deals on flights and rooms at the most popular St. Louis hotels.

By month

January

January is the coldest month of the year, with average highs of 41°F (5°C) and lows of 26°F (-3°C). It’s a dull and grey time to visit with almost constant cloud cover. It isn’t as rainy, with an average of 1.6 inches over the month, but the chance of snow is still increasing.

Cathedral Basilica of St Louis in January

The post-festive slump means that major attractions are quiet in January. You can enjoy better deals and smaller crowds. There are still some fantastic events on offer, too. Admire the sculptures at the Loop Ice Carnival and check out the vintage cars and the St. Louis Auto Show.

February

It gets a little warmer in February, with average highs of 51°F (11°C) and average lows of 32°F (0°C). February is the cloudiest month of the year in St. Louis, and the chance of rain increases to an average of two inches by the end of the month. The snowfall starts to decrease, starting the month at 3.3 inches and ending at two inches.

Gateway Arch in February

As the second-largest Mardi Gras outside New Orleans, this epic festival steals the show in February. Parades, parties, and cook-offs make February one of the most vibrant times to travel to St. Louis.

March

March is still chilly in St. Louis, but signs of spring begin appearing. Temperatures rise to average highs of 62°F (17°C) and lows of 42°F. (6°C). The sun starts to peek from behind the clouds, but the chance of rain shoots up. By the end of the month, the chance of a wet day rises from 20% to 32%. Snowfall starts to reduce, starting the month at 1.9 inches and ending at 0.4 inches.

Ballpark Village in March

The Schlafly Stout and Oyster Festival is a unique way to experience the Midwest. But the real showstopper is the St Patrick’s Day Parade in the Irish Dogtown neighborhood.

April

Spring is officially here, with daily averages shooting up to 52°F to 72°F (11°C to 22°C). Snowfall is rare now unless it’s been a freakishly cold year. But in April, the city is getting wetter, with rainfall averaging four inches by the end of the month.

Old Courthouse in April

The flowers are blooming, and your St. Louis itinerary will be packed with fun things to do. The opening of the Cardinals’ season brings lively events to Busch Stadium and across the city, while the Art Fair at Queeny Park is a chance to enjoy demonstrations, live music, and food and drink tastings.

May

May is usually a warm month in S. Louis, but the humidity of the summer hasn’t struck yet. With average daily highs of 81°F (27°C) and lows of 62°F (17°C), May is a lively time for fun festivals and outdoor fun. The rainfall averages around four inches, so pack an umbrella if you plan to spend lots of time outside.

Busch Stadium in May

In May, you can attend fabulous art events like the Laumeier Art Fair and the Schlafly Art Outside Festival. You can also throw yourself into new cultures at St. Louis Greek Festival and the Cinco de Mayo celebrations on Cherokee Street.

June

Temperatures ramp up in June, with average daily temperatures at 69°F to 88°F (21 to 31°F). It gets steamier, too, with the chance of a humid day increasing from 31% to 62% by the end of the month. However, June is less cloudy, and the chance of rain decreases to an average of 3.4 inches.

St Louis University in June

The city tries to squeeze in as many events as possible before the summer weather becomes unbearable. Expect something to be happening every day of the week. Highlights include free theatre at Shakespeare in the Park and the Firefly Festival at Missouri Botanical Gardens.

July

July is the hottest month of the year in St. Louis. Average highs reach a sweltering 89°F (32°C), and daily lows only drop to 69°F (21°C). The chance of a muggy day shoots up to 68%.

Art Hill in July

Rainfall averages 2.8 inches but often comes in the form of sudden downpours. You’re most likely to catch clear days in July, with the percentage of cloudy conditions dropping to 32%.

As well as days of buzzing independence celebrations, there’s an outdoor cinema at Art Hill in Forest Park. Foodies can check out Taste of the North St. Louis for local vendors and live music.

August

The heat eases up slightly in August, with average temperatures at 65°F to 85°F (18°C to 29°C). The humidity drops fast, with the chance of a humid day falling from 67% to 49% by the end of the month. This means that it’s still hot, but being outside is a little more bearable.

Gateway Arch and Visitor Center in August

You can treat yourself to lots of unique summer events in August. Combine art and mini golf at Golf the Galleries or celebrate the city’s diversity at the Festival of Nations in Tower Grove Park.

September

September is still hot, but crisp mornings and cool breezes start to give St. Louis a more autumnal feeling. Average daily temperatures are 53°F to 75°F (12°C to 24°C). The chance of a muggy day falls to 11% by the end of the month.

Old Courthouse in September

The city makes the most of the pleasant weather with lots of outdoor fun. Enjoy magical events like Balloon Glow and the Great Forest Park Balloon Race. Get a taste of new cultures at events like the Japanese Festival and St. Nicholas Greek Festival.

October

Things cool off in October, but the weather in St Louis is still beautiful compared to many other parts of the country. Average temperatures are between 44°F and 63°F (7°C and 17°C). Rainfall stays consistent, averaging about three inches throughout the month.

Kiener Plaza in October

With colorful fall foliage at every turn, the tone is set for some fantastic seasonal events. Get your brew fix at Oktoberfest in Soulard and the Augusta Bottoms Beer Festival, and enjoy vintage fun at the Renaissance Festival.

November

It gets cold fast in November, with daily lows plunging to 34°F (1°C) and average highs only reaching 50°F (10°C). By the end of the month, snow might start to appear, with averages at 1.2 inches. Cloud cover starts to increase, but by the end of the month, there are still clear or partly cloudy skies 58% of the time, so you have a good chance of crisp sunny days.

Forest Park in November

As well as classic Veterans Day and Thanksgiving parties, take part in lively events like Dia de los Muertos and the Cherokee Street Jazz Crawl.

December

December is cold in St. Louis, with average highs of 41°F (5°C) and lows at a frosty 26°F (-3°C). Snow increases throughout December, ending the month at an average of 2.7 inches.

Suburban Home in December

Luckily there are lots of festive events to warm your heart and soul. Take a ride on the St Louis Polar Express or watch the zoo come alive with Wild Lights St. Louis Zoo. The Missouri Botanical Gardens are illuminated with over one million lights for their annual Garden Glow.

Treksplorer

Ryan O'Rourke is a seasoned traveler and the founder & editor of Treksplorer, a fiercely independent guide to mid-range luxury travel for busy people. With over 20 years of extensive travel experience, Ryan has journeyed through over 50 countries, uncovering hidden gems and sharing firsthand, unsponsored insights on what to see & do and where to eat, drink & stay. Backed by his travel experience and in-depth research, Ryan’s travel advice and writing has been featured in publications like the Huffington Post and Matador Network. You can connect with Ryan on Twitter/X at @rtorourke.

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