Travel Discouraged in St. Louis Due to Heavy Snow and Dangerous Wind Chills

Winter Storm Warning and Road Conditions

St. Louis is currently under a Winter Storm Warning effective through 6:00 p.m. Sunday, January 25, 2026. Meteorologists are forecasting heavy snow accumulations between 5 and 10 inches, with locally higher amounts possible across the metro area. Travel is expected to be difficult to impossible throughout the day. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) and the St. Louis Street Department have already begun round-the-clock snow removal operations. However, officials strongly urge residents to stay off the roads to allow plow teams the necessary space to work.

Major Arteries and Construction Alerts

Beyond the weather-related hazards, several long-term projects continue to impact traffic flow in the region. Commuters should take note of the following ongoing closures:

• Interstate 55: Multiple lane closures remain in effect from I-44 to north of Weber Road for bridge rehabilitation. Specifically, one southbound lane is closed from I-44 to Bates, and two southbound lanes are closed from Bates to Weber through early 2026.
• I-55 Ramps: The Virginia on-ramp to southbound I-55, as well as the ramps at Loughborough and Germania, remain closed as part of the ongoing multi-year reconstruction.
• Interstate 270: The westbound exit and on-ramps at Riverview Drive are closed for interchange updates associated with the new Chain of Rocks bridge project.
• I-170 at I-64: Motorists should exercise extra caution on the flyover ramp from southbound I-170 to eastbound I-64 following a major multi-vehicle accident late Friday afternoon. While the scene has been cleared, residual investigation and slick spots may cause intermittent delays.

Public Transit and Metro Updates

Metro Transit is monitoring the winter storm closely. While no major service suspensions have been announced as of Saturday morning, passengers should anticipate delays across the system. Metro is activating "snow trains" on the Red and Blue light rail lines to keep the tracks clear of accumulation and prevent ice buildup on overhead power lines. Transit users are encouraged to allow at least 30 to 60 minutes of extra travel time and to use the Transit app for real-time bus and train locations.

Major Events and Safety Advice

The 2026 St. Louis Auto Show at America’s Center and The Dome is still scheduled to continue through Sunday. However, given the severe weather, attendees are advised to check the event's official channels for potential changes in hours. With wind chills expected to drop as low as 15 degrees below zero, those who must travel should carry a winter emergency kit including blankets, water, and a flashlight.