textproduct: Springfield

KEY MESSAGES

- Winter Storm Warning in effect from now through 6 PM Sunday. Widespread snowfall amounts between 6 to 10 inches with localized pockets up to 14 inches is still expected. Snowfall has already caused roads to become hazardous.

- Cold Weather Advisory in effect through 12 PM Monday. Single digit low temperatures above and below zero and wind chills below -10 F will be likely each morning this weekend.

- Behind the winter storm, high temperatures in the 20s and 30s through Thursday along with lows in the single digits to teens will extend the time it takes for any snow on the ground to clear.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/

Issued at 153 AM CST Sat Jan 24 2026

Forecast is mostly on track for this weekend. There haven't been any major changes as far as amounts, timing, or precip type. We are still expecting 6-10" across the area with banding looking more likely to occur near I-44 and south and localized pockets of up to 14" still possible. There will be sharp cut- offs in snowfall totals as you go further north towards central MO where they are more likely to see the lower end of our snowfall total range. We are still expecting there to be two rounds of snow and the second round that falls later tonight into Sunday will be the heavier round of snow. Snow has started to fall in some areas around the CWA early this morning with light to moderate snow showers obscuring visibilities bringing them down to less than 3 SM. Roads are starting to become partially to fully covered over southeast KS and far southwest MO. If you are planning on traveling today, please use caution and slow down. As we always say, with ice and snow take it slow.

Round 1: There are a few places that have struggled to overcome the dry air and haven't received snowfall quite yet. Though, due to the dry and fluffy nature of the snow, when it does fall it has been making roads quite slippery. Snow-to-liquid ratios are still in the 13-17:1 range and with the gusty northeasterly wind gusts up to 20 mph, this will cause snow to blow around and drift. This first round will bring around 1-3" to the area. There will be a lull in the snow later this afternoon and evening for most of the area. There is still a low (15-20%) chance for sleet to fall over the MO/AR border near West Plains and east this evening. If it were to occur, it would likely be at the start of the next round of snow. Most model guidance has shifted the sleet further south and to the east of previous runs. Model soundings have also shown less of a warm nose with the latest guidance, though there are still a few ensembles that have the warm nose present. Either way, whether it's sleet or snow, it'll still have the same impact.

Round 2: Snow will start again late Saturday night between 9-11 PM and continue through Sunday afternoon. Data still supports the better forcing for this next round as the trough begins to shift eastward bringing in a surge of 500mb vorticity. Expect there to be even more on snow on the ground by Sunday morning. This round will bring us the bulk of our snowfall and will reduce visibilities and cause roadways to become hazardous.

Temperatures: Today and tomorrow will only have highs in the teens with lows in the single digits tonight and sub-zero tomorrow night as the snowpack works to keep us really cold. We are still expecting -10 to -20F wind chills to occur each morning from today through Monday. These values may warrant an Extreme Cold Warning. We definitely can't rule out issuing that product especially with snow on the ground causing our temperatures to stay even cooler.

This cold will be dangerous for anyone who is outdoors. However, it will be particularly dangerous to any travelers who become stranded on the roads. Avoid travel if at all possible, but for those who have to be on the road, be equipped for dangerously cold conditions.

LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/

Issued at 153 AM CST Sat Jan 24 2026

Snow will linger for the beginning of next week as cold temperatures stick around through the weekend. Daytime highs on Monday and Tuesday are forecast to get into the 20s and 30s. Then, another shot of cold air arrives on Thursday. There is potential for daytime highs to not reach the 30s this next week at all due to the snowpack. Highs may continue to get cooler and cooler once we know how much snow ends up falling over the area. Right now, there isn't a sign for precip through the end of the long term period.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 528 AM CST Sat Jan 24 2026

MVFR/IFR ceilings are in place over the area. Heavier bands of snow through today, tonight, and tomorrow will reduce visibilities down to under 1 SM at times. Northeasterly winds will stay elevated through the period just under 25 knots. There will be a break in snow this afternoon around 19z, but ceilings and visibilities will remain low. Then, the next round of snow will start after 03z Sunday and persist to around 18z Sunday.

SGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

KS...Winter Storm Warning until 6 PM CST Sunday for KSZ073-097-101. Cold Weather Advisory until noon CST Monday for KSZ073-097-101. MO...Winter Storm Warning until 6 PM CST Sunday for MOZ055>058- 066>071-077>083-088>098-101>106. Cold Weather Advisory until noon CST Monday for MOZ055>058- 066>071-077>083-088>098-101>106.