Missouri – Afternoon sun flashes off car hoods across Springfield as a chilled breeze sweeps through the Ozarks, hinting at a deeper cold push approaching late tonight and into the Jan 17–18 weekend. The sky stays mostly bright, but the air carries that familiar winter edge that settles in before the real temperature drop begins.
According to the National Weather Service, Springfield reaches the low 40s today with southwest winds near 10 mph and wind chills as low as 28°F. Clouds increase this evening before a colder northwest flow takes over after midnight. Lows fall to the lower 30s, and wind chills early Friday may dip into the low 20s before sunrise.
Friday brings the sharpest change. Meteorologists now track strengthening northwest winds between 10 and 20 mph, gusting up to 33 mph. Highs climb only into the lower 40s, but the wind will make it feel much colder—closer to the teens during the earliest hours. Plan extra layers if heading out before lunchtime.
Saturday marks the start of a more serious cold snap. Highs stall near 31°F with steady northwest winds pushing gusts near 28 mph. Skies remain mostly sunny, but the air stays harsh enough that any shaded moisture from Friday’s clouds could flash-freeze, especially along I-44 ramps or neighborhood side streets. Sunday improves slightly with full sun and a high near 36°F, yet the morning starts in the single digits.
The broader pattern continues into early next week, though a warmer southwest ridge may return by midweek. Conditions could shift quickly as colder northern air tries to sag south again.
How cold is it feeling in your part of the Ozarks this afternoon?
Five-Day Weather for Springfield, Missouri
• Today: Mostly sunny. High near 43°F.
• Tonight: Partly cloudy. Low near 31°F.
• Friday: Increasing clouds. High near 44°F; wind chills as low as 23°F.
• Friday Night: Partly cloudy. Low near 21°F.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny. High near 31°F.
• Saturday Night: Mostly clear. Low near 8°F.
• Sunday: Sunny. High near 36°F.
• Sunday Night: Mostly clear. Low near 19°F.
• MLK Day: Mostly sunny. High near 32°F.
