Weather
Southwest Missouri Weather Oct. 16–20: Cold Snap, Then Warmup
SPRINGFIELD, MO — The Missouri Ozarks face a sharp turn toward fall weather beginning Friday, Oct. 16, as temperatures plunge from the 80s into the 50s, with patchy frost possible over the weekend bef
By Mara Ellison · 2026-10-14T09:37:46.391Z
SPRINGFIELD, MO — The Missouri Ozarks face a sharp turn toward fall weather beginning Friday, Oct. 16, as temperatures plunge from the 80s into the 50s, with patchy frost possible over the weekend before afternoon highs rebound toward 80 degrees by Tuesday.
According to the National Weather Service in Springfield, a cold front moving through the region Thursday will bring a significant temperature change following several rounds of showers and thunderstorms.
The agency's Hazardous Weather Outlook, issued Wednesday at 1:16 a.m. CDT, identifies gusty northerly winds reaching 35 mph Friday, followed by overnight temperatures falling into the 30s and 40s across portions of the Missouri Ozarks and extreme southeast Kansas.
Temperatures Drop 24 Degrees as Frost Risk Develops Springfield's forecast calls for a high near 82 degrees Thursday before temperatures fall to approximately 58 degrees Friday, a 24 degree drop in daytime highs.
The transition follows unsettled weather Wednesday and Thursday, when thunderstorms could produce locally heavy rainfall and lightning.
The National Weather Service also identifies an elevated excessive rainfall risk Wednesday, with additional showers and thunderstorms expected along the approaching cold front Thursday.
By Friday, conditions should improve considerably, with mostly sunny skies replacing the earlier rainfall.
However, the cooler air will become particularly noticeable overnight.
Springfield's temperature is expected to fall to around 39 degrees Friday night, while colder locations across the broader Ozarks could experience patchy frost early Saturday.
The National Weather Service also identifies possible patchy frost Sunday morning in portions of its forecast area.
Residents with sensitive outdoor plants may want to monitor updated local forecasts, particularly in colder rural and sheltered locations.
Sunshine Returns as Temperatures Climb Saturday brings sunny skies and a high near 63 degrees in Springfield, followed by another chilly night with temperatures around 41.
Sunday begins a noticeable warming trend, with sunshine and afternoon temperatures reaching approximately 68 degrees.
The rebound continues Monday, when highs are expected to reach 75 degrees under mostly sunny skies.
By Tuesday, Springfield could reach 80 degrees, marking a 22 degree increase from Friday's projected high.
The warming follows a broader pattern change across the central United States identified by NOAA's Weather Prediction Center, which expects strong high pressure moving south from Canada to bring substantially cooler conditions late this week.
For the Missouri Ozarks, the extended outlook suggests the coldest conditions will be relatively brief, with sunshine and warmer afternoons returning through early next week.
Five Day Weather Outlook: Oct. 16–20 Temperatures below represent the National Weather Service forecast for Springfield, Missouri. Regional frost potential and wind gusts are based on the NWS Springfield Hazardous Weather Outlook covering the Missouri Ozarks and extreme southeast Kansas.
Friday, Oct. 16: Mostly sunny and sharply cooler, with a high near 58°F. Gusty northerly winds up to 35 mph possible across portions of the region. Partly cloudy overnight, with a low around 39°F. Patchy frost possible in some areas early Saturday. Saturday, Oct. 17: Sunny, with a high near 63°F. Mostly clear overnight, with temperatures falling to approximately 41°F. Patchy frost possible in colder portions of the region early Sunday. Sunday, Oct. 18: Sunny and warmer, with a high near 68°F. Partly cloudy overnight, with a low around 48°F. Monday, Oct. 19: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75°F. Mostly clear overnight, with a low around 53°F. Tuesday, Oct. 20: Sunny and warmer, with a high near 80°F.