Springfield, Missouri – Drivers along I-44 and US-65 should prepare now for strong thunderstorms developing after 4 p.m. Wednesday, with quarter-size hail and 60 mph wind gusts capable of disrupting the evening commute.
According to the National Weather Service in Springfield, multiple rounds of storms are expected Wednesday into Wednesday night as a cold front moves across the Ozarks. The primary hazards include hail up to one inch in diameter and damaging wind gusts reaching 60 mph. While the tornado threat remains minimal, it is not zero, especially with stronger cells that organize along the front.
The most active window for Springfield, Nixa and Ozark appears between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m., when instability peaks ahead of the front. Storms may first develop west of I-49 before spreading east across the US-60 corridor and the James River Freeway. Brief heavy rainfall could lead to localized flooding in low-lying areas and along smaller creeks.
Travelers on I-44 toward Joplin and east toward Rolla should anticipate sudden visibility drops and water-covered pavement during heavier downpours. Secure outdoor furniture, move vehicles under cover if possible and ensure mobile alerts are enabled before storms arrive.
Storm activity may linger past midnight as the front clears the region. Additional watches or warnings could be issued Wednesday afternoon with little lead time if storms intensify across southwest Missouri.
