Weather
Missouri Ozarks Weather Alert: Damaging Storms Possible Oct 15
Springfield, MO – Heavy rainfall, possible flooding and isolated damaging thunderstorms are creating a potentially hazardous start to Thursday across the Missouri Ozarks, with a Flood Watch remaining
By Claire Benton · 2026-10-15T08:12:52.387Z
Springfield, MO – Heavy rainfall, possible flooding and isolated damaging thunderstorms are creating a potentially hazardous start to Thursday across the Missouri Ozarks, with a Flood Watch remaining in effect until 4 p.m. Oct. 15. The National Weather Service is monitoring the possibility of localized flooding and isolated stronger storms capable of producing wind gusts between 50 and 60 mph. The unsettled conditions will be followed by a sharp temperature drop, gusty Friday winds and chilly weekend mornings across southwestern Missouri.
According to the National Weather Service in Springfield, its Hazardous Weather Outlook issued at 8:05 p.m. Wednesday identifies an elevated excessive rainfall risk, elevated lightning risk and marginal thunderstorm wind damage risk. Forecasters indicated that rounds of showers and thunderstorms would continue overnight into Thursday, creating the potential for localized heavy rainfall and flooding. Confidence in isolated strong to severe thunderstorms remained low, but damaging winds were identified as the primary severe weather concern.
Flood Watch and Damaging Wind Potential The Flood Watch covers portions of the Missouri Ozarks and extreme southeastern Kansas, where repeated rainfall could create problems in low lying and flood prone locations. In Springfield, showers and thunderstorms are expected mainly before 1 p.m. Thursday, with an 80% precipitation chance and additional rainfall between one half and three quarters of an inch possible. Locally heavier amounts could occur where thunderstorms repeatedly affect the same areas.
The severe weather concern is more conditional. The Weather Service indicated low confidence in one or two isolated strong to severe thunderstorms during the overnight period following Wednesday evening's outlook. Any stronger storm could produce damaging wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph. That potential does not mean those wind speeds are expected throughout Springfield, and residents should monitor updated warnings as the system progresses.
Travel Concerns Before a Sharp Cooldown Drivers traveling Interstate 44, U.S. Highway 65 and other roads throughout Greene County and the Springfield metropolitan area could encounter periods of heavy rainfall and reduced visibility Thursday. Water may collect in poorly drained areas, particularly where repeated downpours occur. Motorists should avoid flooded roadways and check conditions before traveling through locations susceptible to high water.
Thursday afternoon temperatures are expected to reach approximately 79 degrees before noticeably colder air arrives. Showers and thunderstorms remain likely Thursday evening, with a 70% precipitation chance before conditions gradually improve. Winds could gust to 33 mph Thursday night as temperatures fall toward 44 degrees, signaling the beginning of a significant weather transition.
Gusty Friday Winds and Chilly Weekend Mornings Friday brings partly sunny skies and much cooler temperatures, with afternoon highs reaching only 54 degrees. Northwest winds of 16 to 18 mph could gust as high as 32 mph, while early wind chills may fall near 36 degrees. The National Weather Service also highlights northerly gusts up to 35 mph across its broader forecast area.
By Saturday, sunshine returns and temperatures recover to approximately 60 degrees. However, nighttime lows near 38 degrees Saturday night could create chilly conditions before Sunday morning. The Weather Service identifies increasing confidence in patchy frost Saturday and Sunday mornings across the eastern Ozarks, with the greatest confidence Sunday morning. That regional frost concern should not be interpreted as a confirmed frost forecast for every Springfield neighborhood.
Temperatures begin recovering Sunday, reaching approximately 66 degrees, before climbing into the 70s early next week.
Will Thursday's heavy rain affect your commute, or are you more concerned about the approaching weekend cooldown?
Five Day Weather Outlook Thursday 10/15: Showers and thunderstorms are expected mainly before 1 p.m., with an 80% precipitation chance and highs near 79 degrees. Additional rainfall of one half to three quarters of an inch is possible, followed by nighttime lows around 44 degrees.
Friday 10/16: Partly sunny skies and colder air bring highs near 54 degrees, with northwest winds gusting to 32 mph and early wind chills near 36 degrees. Mostly cloudy conditions develop Friday night, with lows around 39 degrees.
Saturday 10/17: Sunny skies return across Springfield, with afternoon highs near 60 degrees. Clear conditions Saturday night allow temperatures to fall toward 38 degrees, while patchy frost remains a concern in portions of the eastern Ozarks.
Sunday 10/18: Sunshine continues as temperatures recover to approximately 66 degrees. The broader eastern Ozarks face a patchy frost concern early in the morning, followed by mostly clear conditions Sunday night and lows around 43 degrees.
Monday 10/19: Mostly sunny skies and warmer temperatures bring afternoon highs near 72 degrees. Mostly clear conditions are expected Monday night, with temperatures falling to approximately 46 degrees as the region continues its recovery from the weekend cooldown.
Extended Outlook: October 20 21 Tuesday brings sunny skies and afternoon highs near 76 degrees, followed by mostly clear conditions and nighttime lows around 51 degrees.
Wednesday continues the warming trend, with sunny conditions and temperatures approaching 80 degrees.