Located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, St. Louis is near the geographic center of the United States. Its modified continental climate is characterized by four seasons without prolonged periods of extreme heat or high humidity. Alternate invasions of moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and cold air masses from Canada produce a variety of weather conditions. Winters are brisk and seldom severe; annual snowfall averages about eighteen inches. Hot days with temperatures of 100 degrees or higher occur on the average of five days per year. Severe storms are often accompanied by hail and damaging winds, and tornadoes have caused destruction and loss of life.
Area: 62 square miles (2000)
Elevation: 535 feet above sea level
Average Temperatures: January, 29.5° F; July, 80.5° F; annual average, 55.4° F
Average Annual Precipitation: 46.06 inches of rain; 23.5 inches of snow