Missouri – A soft, mild breeze moves across the Ozarks before sunrise as a thin veil of moisture darkens pavement around Springfield and carries a hint of warmer air pushing north. Leaves rustle along open fields, and early travelers on I-44 may feel a few sharp gusts as south winds pick up through the morning. Residents should use today’s calmer stretch for leaf cleanup, outdoor plans, or early holiday prep before conditions turn more unsettled late in the weekend.
According to the National Weather Service Springfield office, warm air surges across southwest Missouri today and Saturday, sending temperatures well above typical mid-November levels. According to forecasters, those south winds strengthen through the afternoon, producing brief crosswind issues on Highway 65 and other exposed roadways. By Sunday, clouds build as moisture increases, and scattered rain develops by midday. Light showers may slow travel, especially for families beginning early Thanksgiving trips.
According to NWS guidance, temperatures stay comfortably above freezing through the weekend, but models hint at a cooler push developing next week. That shift introduces a “Winter Tease” pattern for the central U.S., with some states already seeing early flakes. While Springfield sits south of the main snow belt for now, a stronger front later next week could bring sharper temperature swings. It also signals the season’s slow transition toward colder, more active systems as Thanksgiving nears.
For now, the Ozarks enjoy a calm, bright Saturday ahead. Still, residents traveling north toward Iowa, Illinois, or Wisconsin should stay alert. Those states already saw early-season snow, and another small system could produce light accumulations before the holiday.
Five-Day Forecast for Springfield, MO:
Fri: 77/59 – Sunny; breezy south wind on I-44.
Sat: 78/47 – Mostly sunny; gusty at times.
Sun: 87/48 – Warm with increasing clouds; scattered showers develop.
Mon: 67/48 – Mostly cloudy; spotty showers linger.
Tue: 83/43 – Mostly sunny; cooler air slowly building late.
