Springfield, MO — A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect across parts of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, placing more than 2.5 million residents at risk through 7 a.m. CDT Sunday.
According to the National Weather Service in Springfield, the alert covers cities including Springfield, Joplin, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Muskogee, Tulsa, McAlester, and Branson. The region faces the potential for isolated tornadoes, hail up to ping-pong ball size, and wind gusts reaching 70 mph.
The watch, issued late Saturday, includes 1,120 schools and 78 hospitals in the impacted area. Meteorologists advise residents to secure outdoor objects, stay indoors during storms, and have multiple ways to receive weather warnings overnight.
This multi-state alert emphasizes the heightened spring storm activity typical for the central U.S., though officials stress the combination of wind, hail, and tornado risk makes this event particularly dangerous. Power outages, downed trees, and travel disruptions are likely.
Emergency managers urge residents to monitor local alerts and avoid travel in affected areas until the watch expires Sunday morning. Updates will be provided throughout the night by the National Weather Service and local emergency management agencies.
