Springfield, MO – Evening plans across the Ozarks could be disrupted within hours as strong thunderstorms develop west of Highway 65, bringing the risk of large hail and damaging winds through late Wednesday night.
According to the National Weather Service in Springfield, thunderstorms are expected to intensify Wednesday evening, especially west of U.S. Highway 65 and along the Interstate 49 corridor. The main hazards include hail up to the size of golf balls and wind gusts strong enough to cause tree damage and scattered power outages. A few tornadoes cannot be ruled out, though the overall risk remains low.
Cities including Joplin, Neosho, and Nevada sit in a higher risk zone, where storms may organize and strengthen as they move east. Springfield, Branson, and areas farther east could still see strong storms later in the night, though intensity may vary.
Drivers should prepare for sudden visibility drops and water-covered roads, particularly on I-44 and surrounding highways. Residents are urged to have multiple ways to receive warnings, secure outdoor items, and move indoors quickly if storms approach.
Storm activity may continue past midnight before weakening, with additional alerts possible as conditions evolve overnight.
