CURRENT WATCHES, WARNINGS & ADVISORIES

RED FLAG WARNING IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8PM

Strong winds combined with very low humidities will lead to extreme fire weather conditions. Avoid any outdoor burning today!!!

WIND ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6PM

Sustained winds of 25-30 mph with gusts to 45 mph can be expected in Greene, Webster, Wright, Lawrence, Christian, Barry and Stone counties.

FREEZE WATCH IS IN EFFECT: LATE SUNDAY NIGHT - WEDNESDAY AM

SEVERE STORMS THIS EVENING?

This is the latest regarding the potential for severe weather tonight. The slight risk area has been reduced to include a small portion of northwest Missouri and that's it. Lack of moisture is limiting the development of widespread showers and storms.

Moisture and warmth is slowly creeping northward across Oklahoma and Kansas and will interact with a storm system approaching from the west this afternoon and through the overnight hours. Severe thunderstorms are going to be possible across the western half of the Ozarks. The main threat with any severe storm that develops will be large hail and damaging winds. The risk for tornadoes is mainly across northwest Missouri and NE Kansas.

FREEZING TEMPERATURES

FREEZE WATCH: LATE SUNDAY NT - WEDNESDAY MORNING

Canadian air moves in on Sunday and grows colder with time.

LOW TEMPERATURE FORECAST:

MONDAY MORNING: 27 degrees

TUESDAY MORNING: 19 degrees

WEDNESDAY MORNING: 30 degrees

*Prepare for sensitive outdoor vegetation and agriculture to be impacted by the freezing temps.*

A LOOK BACK AT PAST FREEZES IN APRIL....

2008

April 13: 29 degrees

April 14: 27 degrees

2007

April 5: 29 degrees

April 6: 26 degrees

April 7: 22 degrees (record)

April 8: 20 degrees (record)

April 9: 27 degrees

The freeze in 2007 caused widespread damage to crops and fruit trees across the Midwest.

The freeze taking place next week will not last as long as the one in 2007 though we could easily tie or break the old record high on Tuesday morning.

A Tad Frosty

As wind begin to slacken tonight and clear skies remain, a threat for frost exists for the area in light blue above. High pressure will move overhead which at first will allow for the calm conditions but by Wednesday will have moved east, putting us back in southerly breezes and normal highs in the lower sixties.

Thursday Rain

A storm system is expected to track to our south Thursday and a shield of heavier rain should accompany this storm. A couple of inches of rain are possible especially in north central Arkansas and south central Missouri where thunderstorms will also be mixed in. Even though the storm is passing to the south, it doesn't look like enough cold air will be in place to produce any winter precipitation.

Wind (and storm?)

It has been a windy day across the Ozarks. Winds have gusts over 30 mph commonly today and a wind advisory has been posted.

A cold front will sweep through later tonight. Out ahead of this feature, a few strong thunderstorms may develop and some may produce severe wind gust. Tis activity appears to be more likely to the west and southwest of Springfield during the evening and overnight hours.

Snow Update!

Well, it's a late season snow! The good news is we won't come close to the blizzard conditions experienced in Colorado and Kansas. But the Ozarks will see some accumulating snow on Saturday. Points north and west of a line from Joplin to Osage Beach may see 2" of snow by the time it wraps up late Saturday evening. Springfield will get about an inch. Areas southeast will see a dusting or none.

Travelers should be aware that the K.C. area will see about 4-8" and areas of south central Kansas will pick up 8-14"!!!