Springfield, Missouri – Dry air and gusty winds are raising wildfire concerns across southwest Missouri Friday afternoon as humidity levels drop sharply across the Ozarks.
According to the National Weather Service in Springfield, relative humidity could fall into the 20 to 30 percent range, creating conditions that allow fires to start and spread quickly if ignition occurs. The agency warns that elevated fire danger is expected through the afternoon, especially in open grassland and rural areas.
Even small sparks from equipment, cigarettes or outdoor burning could rapidly spread in these conditions. Fire officials strongly discourage outdoor burning or activities that could create sparks, particularly across Greene, Christian, Webster and surrounding counties.
The dry and breezy pattern comes as temperatures climb into the upper 50s to near 70 degrees Friday, with warmer conditions expected Saturday as highs reach the low to mid-70s across the Springfield region.
The weather pattern will shift quickly by Sunday, when a strong storm system brings rain, gusty winds and the potential for thunderstorms during the day. By Sunday night, colder air moving into the Ozarks could change rain to wintry precipitation in parts of southern Missouri.
Temperatures will drop sharply behind the system, with highs Monday only reaching the upper 20s to upper 30s before a gradual warm-up begins again by Tuesday.
