Severe thunderstorms could bring large hail, tornado to metro-east. See forecast
The National Weather Service St. Louis office reports Belleville is right on the line between a “slight” and “enhanced” risk of severe weather Wednesday.
The hazard Belleville is most likely to see from any severe weather is straight-line wind damage, Brian Haines, meteorologist-in-charge with the NWS St. Louis office, told the News-Democrat Wednesday.
“But there’s also going to be a threat for large hail and even possibly a strong tornado,” Haines said.
Confidence in the likelihood of Belleville seeing severe weather Wednesday is medium or moderate, Haines added.
The peak window of concern for severe weather in the Belleville area is between 6 p.m. and midnight.
Damage caused by straight-line winds is often confused with tornado damage, the NWS reports, and damaging wind from thunderstorms is “much more common” than tornado damage.
A wind advisory is in effect from 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in St. Clair County and across much of the metro-east and St. Louis, with 20- to 30-mile-per-hour southwest winds expected, with wind gusts of up to 45 miles per hour.
“Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects,” the NWS wind advisory reads. “Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.”
Strong winds can cause difficulty driving, especially for high-profile vehicles, the NWS reports. Forecasters advise using extra caution while driving as well as securing outdoor objects.
Haines encouraged residents to make plans ahead of the potential severe weather.
“Everyone needs to have a way to receive warnings, and if you’re under a warning, everyone needs to know where to go,” Haines said.
Belleville weather forecast
Here’s Belleville’s forecast for the next few days, from the NWS:
- Wednesday: Temperatures from 70 to 91 degrees Fahrenheit, with showers and thunderstorms likely. Thunderstorms could become severe.
- Thursday: Temperatures from 61 to 83 degrees, with a 20% chance of showers after 3 p.m.
- Friday: Temperatures from 65 to 84 degrees, with sunny skies during the day and partly cloudy skies at night.
- Saturday: Temperatures from 68 to 86 degrees, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms.
- Sunday: Temperatures from 68 to 86 degrees, with showers likely and thunderstorms possible. Haines said Sunday is another day to potentially keep an eye on the forecast.
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This story was originally published June 17, 2026 at 1:05 PM.
