Springfield, Missouri – Drivers and evening plans across the Ozarks could be disrupted after 6 p.m. Friday as a strengthening line of storms pushes into southwest Missouri with damaging winds and isolated tornado potential.
According to the National Weather Service in Springfield, storms are expected to develop along a cold front Friday evening and track east through the night, with the most likely timing between 6 p.m. and midnight. Areas along and west of Highway 65, including Joplin, Springfield, and Branson, face the highest risk for severe impacts.
Wind gusts could exceed 60 mph, strong enough to down tree limbs and cause scattered power outages. Large hail is also possible, and a few storms may briefly spin up tornadoes as the line moves through the region.
Rain and storms may linger into early Saturday morning before conditions begin to clear. Additional rounds of rain are expected through the weekend, which could lead to minor flooding in low-lying or poor drainage areas.
Residents are urged to secure outdoor items, charge devices ahead of storms, and have multiple ways to receive warnings. More alerts may be issued as the storm system approaches Friday evening.
