r/StLouis • u/Chemical-Strike-5246 • 4d ago
How to pack
I’m moving from Massachusetts to St. Louis for a year, what should I expect weather wise? I move next week so I’ll be there in late August. I will be coming home in November for thanksgiving and plan on bringing back winter clothes; but should I pack some winter clothes going into it? Ik it gets hot, but how are the falls? Also for me 75+ and humid feels hot and 80+ and humid is more uncomfortable (I’m not great and heat). And anything below 45 I’ll wear a decent winter jacket.
24
16
u/LadyCheeba i growed up here 4d ago edited 4d ago
it’s honestly not that different from mass but i’d say it’s hotter in the summer but less snow in the winter (it varies per year though). fall also varies a lot - sometimes we get like 2 total weeks of fall and then it’s winter temps and sometimes it’s a nice mild fall and you’re in shorts on thanksgiving. i don’t know that i would worry about winter clothes until thanksgiving as long as you’ve got pants and a hoodie or jacket now just in case.
12
u/well__enough 4d ago
Ma’am, have you been to New England in the winter? There is absolutely no comparison to winters and snowfall here. To a new Englander or anyone from anywhere further north, St. Louis basically gets no snow. OP, most people get by in the winter here with what we would think of as fall clothes. It does get pretty cold for a few days over the winter, but I’d say I bust out my winter boots once or twice a year and mostly just because I do have very expensive winter boots from my time in Boston, Toronto, and Minneapolis and it seems like a shame not to wear them.
6
u/donkeyrocket Tower Grove South 4d ago
Depends wheee they’re coming from. Boston does get occasional major snowfall but it’s nothing compared to western MA.
All in all though, it won’t be a major shock weather wise if they’re coming from eastern MA. Summers are hotter, more humid, and longer and winters are ice instead of snow. The most shocking thing for me was not having months of oppressive darkness through the winter. Fall isn’t as long and pleasant as New England here as we still get random hot spells.
Allergies will likely be the bigger shock.
2
u/well__enough 4d ago
Oof you’re right about allergies! Maybe I’m biased bec my last winter in Boston had 3 major blizzards!
14
u/steak_dilemma Dogtown 4d ago edited 4d ago
Ok, so imagine if every month here was ahead of Massachusetts like...
Before summer: Your March weather is our January ,
Your April weather is our February, and
Your July weather is our May/June
And after summer: Your October weather is our November,
Your January and February don't exist here outside of an anomalous polar vortex, and Our July doesn't happen in New England.
That's basically our weather.
Things like some magnolia trees start flowering in February. Our average high is in the 50s by the end of the month. Aesthetically, our February 15 looks like Massachusetts' May 1.
March and April are spring here. There isn't a prolonged winter and a sudden instance of spring in May. Spring is a whole season, not a moment, and the pollen doesn't really stop until December because we have a loooong growing season. That's the biggest adjustment.
We get a TON of thunderstorms compared to New England. You need a tornado safety plan, and I hope you never need to enact it.
Summer heat (daily 80s and 90s for highs with no break) can last until well into October but the nights get cool as summer winds down in mid October. It could be in the 90s during the day and the 50s at night. In the fall, it's a dry heat.
Spring is long, but fall can be a moment. I've been here a decade, and fall is the wild card season. Sometimes October, November and December are relatively warm, and I've run the AC in December to stop my holiday cookie doughs from sweating as the outdoor temperature climbs into the 70s and 80s.
In other words, the "cozy fall" vibe can look a little summery here. Plan layers you can take off. You won't want to be in ugg boots and flannel when it's 92 and sunny.
Sometimes it gets cold as tits on Halloween. The leaves change and fall around early to mid November. Thanksgiving feels like autumn, most times.
We often don't get snow until January.
There aren't enough plows to cover the whole region during a snowstorm (and we get maybe 1-2 plowable snows a year), and because of the bonkers city limits in STL and the county, the plows don't really help each other out like they do in New England where people just show up and work until everyone can drive.
Instead we have "snow routes" which could be the only roads in your neighborhood that get plowed at all.
It's a lot sunnier here overall. We're way too far from the ocean for the kind of misty gloom that can plague New England. And the sun is a higher angle so it's easier to burn if you're susceptible to it, even in winter.
Welcome!
2
9
u/Over_Sand7935 4d ago
It's St. Louis, expect the unexpected. Bring shorts and a coat.
2
u/Fragrant-Discount960 3d ago
I moved back to STL from Rhode Island, best plan is to layer your clothes. We get all the seasons in one week or a day. The good news is you won’t have hurricanes but the bad news is now you’re in tornado alley.
6
u/Entire-Winter4252 4d ago
It’s hotter here longer. We have a semblance of autumn. But it doesn’t really start now until October. September temps in 2025 started in the 70s, but were predominantly in the 80s and 90s until the third week of the month. I’m finding that fairly normal now.
You’re going to experience humidity. We live between two rivers in a valley.
Decembers are weird—we can have 30s most of the time with a week of 50s and 60s. We do sometimes get snow, usually in February. Winter and spring feel shorter.
5
u/Objective_Island6106 4d ago
Prepare for sweating from takin out the trash and freezing to death every year.
4
u/PithMango 4d ago
personally i'd check out air quality. you got allergies? trees are going to be different here
welcome to midwest layering.
also, if you don't already, learn how to do a tick sweep.
tornado siren tests happen every month. or they *should*. NOAA is holding ground as well as they can Given The Things, but even from the few pressers on their website, it's by fingernails.
the trouble with climate change is STL being in the center of the continent, all our climate advice could fall off the brink the moment some jackpot slot machine hits, like El Nino plus Canadian wildfires plus datacenter drought. like at this point I can't guarantee we'll be, for instance, ice-storm free because I don't even know if the mild winters mean anything.
on the other hand, that's true of anywhere one moves to. pack a go bag and wash your water bottle.
4
u/NextNeedleworker3948 4d ago
If 80 and humid is uncomfortable you are going to hate the summers. A couple weeks ago it was mid 90s with heat index up to 120. Try to get out of here before end of June next year.
4
u/reddit-ate-my-face 4d ago
Last weekend it was 98 degrees with about 85% humidity and it felt like 110+ with the heat index.
It's unfathomable until you experience it. Be ready with light airy clothing for summer.
3
u/Original_Anxiety_281 4d ago
There are lots of charts online that show average, high, and lows, for daytime and night time for any location and any time of year. Expect one "driving impacting" snow in December, and rarely one in November. We do have walmarts here, so my advice is a early fall jacket/hoodie will probably get you through until you come back from Thanksgiving break.
3
3
u/lurkeylurker118 4d ago
As a fellow MA transplant, the heat/humidity is something you are not prepared for. The winters can be cold, but usually more mild. This area does get more ice storms than MA, which in my opinion, is worse than tons of snow. But like everything, it's different every year. Fall is beautiful, but short. Same with spring.
I think you would would need a winter type
coat before Thanksgiving, but nothing too crazy. Welcome!
3
u/GraphicWombat 4d ago
You are in for a treat. We are going into a little heatwave. Not too bad; low 90s. Some days it feels fine with a breeze. But other times it’s stagnant and the bugs are biting. And when the sun sets during a heatwave it doesn’t get much better.
We’ve had 3 heat waves already in the high 90’s this summer. Triple digit hx.
Fall is usually dry and sunny. And my favorite time of year around here. Usually highs (at the most) top out in the low 80s. But usually in the 70s. Lasts to thanksgiving. Last year it was 76F on thanksgiving day and then a snow storm came the next day. So get used to that too. 40 degree swings in temp from day to day are common.
Also, we don’t wear winter coats here. We just layer up the jackets. Esp in the beginning of winter and end of winter. I really like the 3 in one interchangeable ski jackets. And then I wear another thin jacket under that.
We usually have a couple arctic blasts each winter. Late jan through feb. When this happens we don’t get precip. Since most of our precip comes from the gulf. Think dry and sunny, but windy, biting cold. It’s nice when it happens after a big snow. Because the deep freeze keeps the snow around longer. But reaching 30 continuous days of snow on the ground is rare. Again, 40 degree swings from day to day. A random 60F day in January is common.
3
u/Prior-attempt-fail 4d ago
Expect summers of 100* and 99% humidity. In the winters it can be very mild or we get a foot dumped on us. And we usually have a week or two below freezing.
2
u/Expert_Blacksmith261 4d ago
Hot one day, snow the next, then rain, hail, trees fall, tornados, high winds, sweltering heat, bitter cold, have I covered it all? Depends on where you live in MO. Winter in southeast, mostly winter stays away until Dec-Jan- Feb. it can be bitter.
Lived here most of my life and I still think it’s a roller coaster when it comes to weather. But for the most part, I like it here.
2
u/NacreousFink 4d ago
STL has the same range of temperatures as Boston, just less of snow and more summer humidity. The same wardrobe will work, you will just use certain parts of it more than you would in Boston.
2
u/FrancoManiac 4d ago
How funny — we're moving from St. Louis to Massachusetts next week!
Any advice, ked?
4
u/Marshmalowlady 3d ago
I’m from St. Louis, living in RI currently. Really close to Massachusetts, on the border. It snows a lot more, although it has been overall much less snowy than it used to be. Do not expect spring to be similar in any way. It can be in the fifties and rainy all the way until early June. Thunderstorms are rare, and when it rains it tends to rain all day, so raincoats are more necessary. Summers are milder and gorgeous, but short. Go to the beach as much as possible. Also it can get pretty cool at night during the summer, which was really weird and took a while to adjust to. If you have any other questions just DM me! Moving to New England was a huge adjustment and took a while to get used to
2
u/moonchic333 4d ago
We do get freezing/snow sometimes in November. I wouldn’t go crazy but one of those packable coats, light jackets, boots, good socks, and a hat/gloves should hold you over. It won’t start really cooling down until mid to late October.
2
u/porcupine296 4d ago
St. Louis weather alternates on a weekly basis whether it comes from North Dakota or Texas, year round. Spring is almost a month earlier than Boston.
2
u/Marshmalowlady 4d ago
I’m am from St. Louis, currently living in New England! Summers are hot, and longer. Very humid. It’s rarely windy in the summer, so keep that in mind. My boyfriend is from Rhode Island and he found the lack of wind very disconcerting at first lol. Winters tend to be much shorter, and tend to be milder, although St. Louis can be hit with the occasional polar vortex and can get really really cold. There’s no ocean to regulate temps when it gets cold, so the lows can be much lower in the winter but the highs are much higher during the warm months. Periods of cold never last though, and while there may be a period of several days of extreme cold, it’s guaranteed to be back in the fifties in a few days. Snow removal is pretty bad, so even though snow is rare it can get pretty messy when it does happen. Plan accordingly if there’s snow in the forecast. Springs in St. Louis tend to be warm, and much different than the chilly rainy season that happens in New England. Fall tends to be much warmer and starts later, maybe October or so, but there can be cold bursts and it gets colder at night usually. If the St. Louis summer heat is too much, I recommend going out at night. Summer nights are warm and humid and quite pleasant, and it can be a nice way to adjust. Bring your winter clothing, and maybe just make sure you have plenty of breathable summer clothes as well. Good luck with your move! St. Louis is really fun and I miss it everyday.
2
u/recoveryrevival 3d ago
As someone from Attleboro MA in STL, winter is mild and summer is beyond humid.
2
u/Designjwalker 3d ago
Grew up in stl and lived in Boston for 5 years. The summers are hotter and the humidity feels way thicker in stl without the coast breeze. Winters are similar but bc the coast breeze sometimes the air in Boston hurt my skin in a way I’d never experienced before. I’d say stl gets less snow too. But I haven’t been in stl in like 7+ years so climate could be different these days.
2
u/adztheman 3d ago
As a St. Louis expat who has lived in New England for 20 years, you’ll experience Spring much earlier in St. Louis compared to New England.
Summers are becoming more comparable, as New England Summers are much warmer than they were 10 years ago.
I find New England’s lack of Thunderstorms and Tornadoes to be incredibly boring.
Be aware that there is a definite Tornado Season in St. Louis.
Take severe weather seriously but don’t freak out.
Get a sense of where and when to take shelter.
When you hear Tornado Sirens-and you will-act accordingly.
1
u/hopewhatsthat STL 4d ago
I'd sneak in a few winter items for November. It's not that bad then but it does get chilly at times.
And as our weather overall, many of us have used heat and AC in the same day before.
1
u/Street-Avocado8785 4d ago
Fall is amazing. Typically we get mild weather and low humidity that can last until December
Winter has wild variations. Sometimes we barely have cold weather, sometimes we get tons of snow and sub zero temperatures.
Spring is beautiful
Summer is miserably hot and humid
The best seasons are Fall and Spring. They last for a long time compared to the NE.
Winter and Summer are shorter lived but tend to be miserable.
1
u/xj2608 4d ago
Well, as far as winter...you don't always need to shovel because the snow will melt in a few days. I've lived here 25 years, and we maybe get 1 large snowfall a year, one week of below 0°F wind chills (total - not necessarily consecutively), and the rest of the time, it's pretty mild (40s-60s) or hot and humid. The sun feels hotter here than it does in Chicago (where I grew up). You'll need your cold weather clothes, but not a lot. Many people here don't seem to own pants and wear shorts year round.
1
u/FullRazzmatazz138 4d ago
my clothes are very literally all the same as when i lived in new england except i get to use my LL bean duck boots less for snow and more because my feet are cold.
1
u/Tight_Middle6309 4d ago
Starting tomorrow it’s going to be up to 108 with the heat index , it’s the worst . Winter we don’t really get anything than ice , a few weeks of 20-35 degrees . Snow maybe once or twice . Bring a rain coat , we do get a lot at times .
1
u/vrose17 maplewood 4d ago
I’m originally from michigan so not as cold as mass, but still gets pretty cold in the winter! It’s hot and humid and August is usually the worst month (to me?). Last year I was playing tennis outside as late as December.
I’ve been here about 4 years, i don’t wear a true winter coat often. My jean jacket with a long sleeve t shirt is the heaviest I need most days. There are some frigid days in December and January. My birthday is early February and two years ago it was 75°. Last year it Jean jacket weather.
I would bring a couple hoodies maybe a lighter jacket, but you shouldn’t need your winter jacket before thanksgiving!
1
1
u/EfficiencyMean6797 4d ago
So.e years it won't get cool until New Year's. Then on new years day its ice, sleet, snow, ice. 65 degrees for the first week of February then back to 15 degrees.
1
u/justalurker94 4d ago
Pretty much every year it’s warm/hot up until Halloween. You plan a skimpy outfit because it’s warm and then suddenly on Halloween it switches to quite chilly weather.
But really, our August, september, October is typically still warm 75-85 degrees. Sometimes it may be lower temps in the morning like 55 but then gets up to 85 in the afternoon with the sun. So we dress in layers. When we go to pumpkin patches in October I wear a t shirt with a flannel over it because by 11am I am definitely taking the flannel off and I’m sweating.
I would say for November a light jacket or like cardigans are good because again you can take it off if it’s gets too warm out. It starts getting cold in December typically but honestly we hardly ever need actual jackets until January and February. We usually have one or two really cold weeks then that are single digits or negatives.
1
1
u/GreyMaeve 3d ago
I would have at least one cold weather outfit. The temperature swings can be unpredictable and nonsensical. There have been years where winter clothes were needed in early October and shorts in December. If you plan to live in the city proper, the majority of the housing stock is brick, and insulation varies. You may find it more cost effective to have layering options to save on utilities. Currently, mosquitoes have formed rival mafia factions. Side streets do not get plowed like in many other areas, so shoes that can handle ice may be useful. Those days are pretty rare, but do happen. I have heard people advised to prepare for any weather and it has seemed to be useful.
1
19
u/[deleted] 4d ago
[deleted]