Halloween in Missouri usually brings a mix of crisp autumn air and some unpredictable conditions that can shape your plans. Most years, highs land in the low 60s and lows drop into the 40s, so evenings feel cool but not too harsh.
Snow almost never happens, but rain can show up, and some years have even seen more than an inch of it.
Weather patterns shift depending on where you are in the state. St. Louis, Columbia, and Springfield each experience slightly different averages. Local geography can make one town feel milder or wetter than another.
That variation makes it worth checking what to expect in your area before you pick a costume or plan outdoor events.
Halloween weather here isn’t just numbers on a chart—it’s about how those temperatures, clouds, and winds actually feel at night. If you look at long-term trends, you’ll spot what’s typical, what’s rare, and how to prepare so your plans stay comfortable no matter what the forecast says.
Typical Halloween Weather in Missouri
You can expect cool fall conditions across Missouri on October 31. Temperatures often stay mild during the day but drop to chilly levels once the sun sets.
Rain sometimes makes an appearance, and while snow almost never does, the state has seen a few oddball events in the past.
Average High and Low Temperatures on October 31
During the day, highs across Missouri usually range from the low 60s to mid-60s °F. In St. Louis, the average high is about 63°F. Columbia averages 62°F.
Afternoons feel comfortable if you want to be outside.
Nighttime lows drop quickly. St. Louis averages 45°F and Columbia averages 42°F.
You’ll probably want a jacket or some layers for evening activities.
Humidity doesn’t usually run high, but once the sun goes down, that cool air can feel a bit damp. Precipitation averages stay modest, with about 0.13–0.18 inches of rain on Halloween in central and eastern Missouri.
Snowfall rarely factors in. Most October 31 dates bring little to no measurable snow, though you might see a trace once in a blue moon.
Recent Halloween Weather Patterns
Over the last few decades, Halloween evenings have trended cooler than the daytime averages suggest. Most years bring highs in the 60s, but nights can slip into the 40s, making trick-or-treating a little brisk.
Rain chances aren’t high, but they aren’t rare either. In St. Louis, you’ve got about a 1 in 3 chance of measurable rainfall.
Columbia shows a similar trend, with nearly 50 occurrences of rain on record for October 31.
Most years stay dry, but heavy rain has occasionally soaked Halloween. In 2005 and 2018, over an inch of rain drenched parts of Missouri.
Snow barely makes an appearance these days, though cold snaps have made some Halloweens feel almost wintry. The coldest in recent memory was 1993, when much of Missouri shivered through an unusually cold night.
Record Highs and Lows for Halloween
Missouri has seen some wild swings in Halloween weather. The warmest October 31 in St. Louis reached 88°F in 1968. Columbia hit 87°F in 1950.
These warm years are outliers, but they prove late October can still surprise you with summer-like heat.
On the cold side, records get dramatic. St. Louis dropped to 26°F in 1878. Columbia fell to 22°F in several years.
That’s freezing, and it happened long before winter even started.
Average records show just how much things can vary. In St. Louis, the coldest average Halloween temperature was 34°F in 1878. Columbia’s coldest average was 31°F in 1993, making it one of the chilliest Halloweens in state history.
Precipitation records catch the eye too. St. Louis saw 2.91 inches of rain in 1946, and Columbia recorded 2.06 inches that same year.
Snowfall records barely register, with only traces noted in a handful of years.
Regional Weather Variations Across Missouri
Late October weather in Missouri really depends on where you are. Temperature swings, rain chances, and even the feel of the air can shift between the eastern cities, the Ozarks, and the northern plains.
St. Louis Area Conditions
In St. Louis, late October brings cool afternoons and chilly nights. Average highs reach the low 60s °F, while lows dip into the mid-40s °F.
On Halloween, records show temperatures anywhere from the upper 80s °F to the low 40s °F. You’ll want to plan for all kinds of possibilities.
Rainfall can happen, with about a one-in-three chance of measurable precipitation. Some years have brought heavy rain above an inch, but most Halloweens see only light showers.
Snow almost never shows up this time of year.
Humidity stays moderate, so evenings can feel cooler than the numbers say. If you’re planning outdoor activities, layering is your friend for staying comfortable.
Quick facts for St. Louis (Halloween averages):
- High: ~63°F
- Low: ~45°F
- Precipitation: ~0.13 inches
Springfield Weather Patterns
Springfield, tucked in the Ozarks, usually runs a little cooler than eastern Missouri. Average highs hover near 60°F. Lows settle in the low 40s °F.
Nights feel crisp, and frost isn’t rare in the rural spots nearby.
Rain chances are moderate. Totals average less than a quarter inch on Halloween.
While rain can show up, all-day storms aren’t typical. Snowfall is rare but has shown up in tiny amounts in the past.
The Ozarks’ higher terrain cools evenings a bit more than lowland cities. You’ll notice temperatures drop fast after sunset, which can change outdoor plans.
Quick facts for Springfield (late October averages):
- High: ~60°F
- Low: ~42°F
- Precipitation: ~0.18 inches
Saint Joseph Climate Differences
In Saint Joseph, up in northwest Missouri, late October trends cooler than both St. Louis and Springfield. Highs usually stick in the upper 50s °F. Lows often fall into the upper 30s °F.
Frost is common, and freezing temperatures sometimes show up by this point in the season.
Rainfall averages stay modest, but showers do happen. Snowfall is a little more likely here than in the south, though it’s still rare before November.
The northern plains and open fields bring stronger winds, adding a chill to outdoor activities.
If you’re outside in the evening, you’ll probably want a heavier coat than you would in central or eastern Missouri.
Quick facts for Saint Joseph (late October averages):
- High: ~58°F
- Low: ~38°F
- Precipitation: ~0.15 inches
Precipitation and Rainfall Trends
Halloween in Missouri usually brings mild to cool weather, but moisture in the air can flip your plans. Rain isn’t unusual, and while snow is rare, it has happened before.
Chance of Rain on Halloween
You’ve got about a 1 in 3 chance of measurable rain on Halloween in Missouri. In St. Louis, records show a 32% likelihood of precipitation on October 31.
Columbia sees similar odds, with nearly half of Halloweens recording at least a trace of rain.
When rain falls, it’s usually light. Still, some years have brought storms with more than an inch of rain in a single night.
Notable heavy rain events happened in 1912, 1919, 1946, 2005, and 2018.
Most years, rain shows up as scattered showers rather than soaking the whole day. You might still get lucky with dry breaks for trick-or-treating or outdoor gatherings.
Average October Rainfall Amounts
October in Missouri isn’t the wettest month, but it brings steady rainfall. Across the state, you can expect about 3 to 4 inches of rain for the month.
St. Louis averages 0.13 inches of rain on Halloween. Columbia averages a bit more at 0.18 inches.
Rain in late October usually comes from passing cold fronts. These systems can bring quick, soaking showers.
As the month closes, you’ll probably notice more cloudy days, even if rain doesn’t fall.
If you compare cities, rainfall totals stay pretty consistent. For example:
| City | Avg. Halloween Rain (inches) | Avg. October Rain (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 0.13 | ~3.5 |
| Columbia | 0.18 | ~3.7 |
So, Halloween rainfall is just a small slice of the monthly total.
Snowfall Possibilities
Snow on Halloween in Missouri is about as rare as it gets, but it’s not impossible. St. Louis has only seen traces of snow on a few occasions, like 2017 and 2019.
Columbia reported a small accumulation of 0.3 inches in 1912.
The odds of measurable snow on October 31 are close to zero most years. Historical records show no significant snow depth has ever been measured in St. Louis on this date.
If snow does fall, it usually mixes with rain and melts fast. You don’t need to plan for snow, but it’s a rare possibility, especially if an early-season cold front rolls through.
Cloud Cover and Sunshine
Missouri weather in late October brings a mix of clear skies and cloudy stretches. Sunshine happens, but there’s no guarantee, and daylight is already running short.
Likelihood of Clear or Cloudy Skies
You can expect a decent shot at partly sunny conditions on Halloween in Missouri. Historical records show skies are often mixed—some years have clear evenings, others bring low clouds or light rain.
Missouri averages about 200 sunny or partly sunny days per year, but late October isn’t one of the sunniest times. Cloud cover ramps up as cold air moves in. The chance of measurable rain on Halloween in St. Louis is about 1 in 3.
Cloudiness shifts by region. Northern spots like St. Joseph see more overcast skies in late fall. Southern areas such as Springfield might keep clearer skies a bit longer.
If you’re planning outdoor events, it helps to prep for both clear and cloudy scenarios. A partly cloudy afternoon is common, but evening cloud cover can thicken fast as temperatures drop.
Daylight Hours on Halloween
By Halloween, daylight is noticeably shorter in Missouri. The sun usually rises around 7:30 AM and sets close to 6:00 PM.
That gives you just over 10 hours of daylight.
Trick-or-treating often starts in the fading light and continues after dark. Twilight disappears quickly, so most activities end up under streetlights or porch lights.
Compared to midsummer, you lose almost 4 hours of daylight. That makes evenings feel cooler and darker.
Planning ahead with lighting or reflective gear is smart if you’ll be outside after sunset.
The shorter days also mean less sunshine to warm the ground. Even with clear skies, the lower sun angle means afternoon warmth fades fast once the sun drops.
Wind and Feels-Like Temperatures
Late October in Missouri usually brings cooler air and light to moderate breezes. These winds can make the air feel colder than the thermometer shows, especially after sunset when temperatures fall quickly.
Typical Wind Speeds in Late October
In Missouri, winds during late October usually blow between 7 to 12 miles per hour. On calm days, you might just feel a gentle breeze, but when those cold fronts roll in, gusts can jump up to 20 mph.
Most evenings, the wind stays at the lower end of that range. It’s enough to rustle some leaves and make any outdoor event feel a bit brisk.
You’ll probably notice that rural areas or open fields get a little more wind than neighborhoods with lots of trees and houses.
Wind direction matters, too. Winds often come from the northwest as cold air moves in, bringing cooler, drier weather.
Sometimes, though not as often, southerly winds show up and bring a quick burst of warmer air before another front pushes through.
If you keep these patterns in mind, you can plan your layers and decide if you need wind protection, like a light jacket with a hood.
Impact of Wind Chill During Evening Hours
Evening lows on Halloween in Missouri usually settle into the 40s, but wind can make it feel closer to the mid-30s.
For example, when it’s 45°F with a 10 mph wind, it actually feels more like 39°F.
You’ll notice this difference even more if you’re outside for a while, like during trick-or-treating or other events.
Standing still in the wind feels colder than walking around, doesn’t it?
Younger kids and older adults tend to feel the wind chill more, so it’s smart to use gloves, hats, and wind-resistant outerwear.
Those layers really help keep the chill out and make outdoor time a lot more comfortable.
If you dress in layers that trap heat and block the wind, you’ll manage the chill without feeling weighed down.
Weather Considerations for Halloween Activities
Late October in Missouri often brings cool evenings, a bit of rain, and big swings in temperature.
When you plan outdoor activities, you need to think about comfort and safety—weather can change from nice to chilly or damp in a hurry.
Planning for Trick-or-Treating
For trick-or-treating, expect evening temps in the mid-50s to mid-60s, though some years the mercury drops into the 40s by nightfall, especially up north.
There’s also a decent chance of light rain, with about a one-in-three shot at showers, according to the records.
If rain’s in the forecast, grab small umbrellas or lightweight rain jackets.
Wet leaves can make sidewalks slick, so sturdy shoes work better than thin costume ones.
It’s a good idea to plan your route with lighting in mind since most trick-or-treating happens after dark.
Reflective tape or glow sticks make kids easier for drivers to spot.
Checking the local forecast on the morning of October 31 helps you adjust your plans.
If it looks like rain or colder air is coming, you can head out earlier before things get too unpleasant.
Costume Choices Based on Weather
You want your costume to feel comfortable and safe, especially with fall weather flipping between warm and chilly. Once the sun goes down, temperatures can dip fast, so layering really helps. Try slipping a thin base layer under your costume—it adds warmth but doesn’t mess with your look.
Kids especially need costumes that don’t drag on the ground. Wet leaves and puddles are everywhere this time of year. If it looks like rain, go for waterproof shoes or boots.
Masks and hats might keep you warm, but honestly, they can get stuffy and block your view. If the weather’s not too cold, maybe ditch the heavy headgear and just use some face paint.
When Halloween night turns cold, I like to build costumes around warmer clothes. A hoodie or jacket can totally fit into a character outfit, so you stay cozy and still look the part.