Multiple rounds of thunderstorms will move through the Ozarks Thursday through Sunday, with the potential for severe storms beginning Friday.
The National Weather Service says no severe weather is expected Thursday, but showers and thunderstorms will be widespread, with frequent lightning occurring.
Rainfall amounts for Thursday remain uncertain, but locations west of Springfield have the highest chances of seeing 1.5 to 3 inches of rainfall.
A Flash Flood Warning is in effect until 5:00 p.m. Thursday for central Jasper County. The weather service says Doppler radar indicates between 2 and 4 inches of rain have fallen in the Carthage area by 11:00 a.m., and flash flooding is already occurring.
There’s also a tree down across Kafir and State Highway 171 that has caused a wreck.
By Friday afternoon and evening, forecasters say thunderstorm coverage will likely be low, but if storms do form, they could produce hail up to the size of golf balls, damaging wind gusts, and tornadoes.
For Saturday, the highest potential for severe storms will be west of our area in southeastern Kansas.
Meteorologists say storms that are able to move in from the west could produce large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes. While those storms could move into southwest Missouri during the afternoon and evening, the highest chances of them occurring are Saturday night.
Then on Sunday, the entire area has a risk for large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes. Severe storms could be ongoing during the morning, with additional development during the afternoon if enough heating develops behind the morning storms.
We’ll have the latest forecast updates, plus all the watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service, on 93-3 and A-M 560 KWTO.