Springfield, Missouri – Drivers across southwest Missouri could face dangerous evening travel as severe thunderstorms develop after 4 p.m. and intensify into the overnight hours.
According to the National Weather Service in Springfield, scattered strong to severe storms are expected between 4 p.m. and midnight, with the highest threat stretching from southeast Kansas into southwest and west-central Missouri. Supercell storms may produce wind gusts up to 70 mph and hail as large as golf balls, with a tornado or two possible.
Springfield, Joplin, and Branson sit near the core of this risk zone, where major routes like US-65 and I-44 could see sudden visibility drops and debris from strong winds. Storms will likely move east into central Missouri later tonight, with a secondary round of isolated severe storms possible between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m.
The overnight threat shifts toward damaging winds up to 60 mph and hail, with a brief tornado still possible in stronger cells. Residents are urged to secure outdoor items, delay travel during peak storm hours, and ensure alerts are enabled before going to sleep.
Storms will weaken toward early morning, but additional updates and warnings are likely as conditions evolve tonight.
