SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Thick fog blanketed southwest Missouri early Saturday, slowing drivers on I-44 and reducing visibility to near a quarter mile. The National Weather Service issued a Dense Fog Advisory for the Springfield metro through 10 a.m., warning that conditions could make early travel treacherous for morning commuters and pumpkin patch visitors alike. Motorists are urged to use low beams and slow down until the fog lifts later this morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Springfield, skies will gradually clear by midday, ushering in a stretch of bright fall sunshine and mild afternoons through the Columbus Day holiday. Temperatures will rebound sharply, climbing into the lower 80s across Greene, Christian, and Webster counties by Sunday. Light south winds will return, providing pleasant weather for weekend festivals, outdoor markets, and early fall leaf viewing.
Monday’s Columbus Day looks ideal for any outdoor plans, with mostly sunny skies and highs in the low 80s. Despite the summerlike warmth, forecasters hint at a cool-down later next week as a potential cold front sweeps in from Kansas, possibly bringing the season’s first cold snap by mid-October.
Residents should enjoy the current stretch of calm weather but prepare for quick changes typical of mid-fall in the Ozarks. Keep vehicles fueled, check tire pressure for cool mornings, and protect sensitive plants once nighttime temperatures begin to dip later in the week.
Five-Day Forecast for Springfield, MO:
Sat: 80/56 – Dense fog early; mostly sunny and mild.
Sun: 83/57 – Sunny, warm; light south breeze.
Mon (Columbus Day): 82/62 – Mostly sunny; ideal holiday weather.
Tue: 80/63 – Partly cloudy; unseasonably warm.
Wed: 80/61 – Mostly sunny; early signs of a cooling trend late week.
