Springfield weather is basically a mood ring for the Midwest. One day you're wearing a light jacket at the Nature Center, and the next, you’re digging your car out from under a layer of Ozark sleet. Honestly, if you’ve lived here long enough, you know the "extended forecast" is more of a polite suggestion than a set-in-stone promise. But looking at the data for early 2026, things are getting kinda weird.
We’re currently staring down a weirdly specific stretch of weather that’s got local meteorologists keeping their coffee pots full. Right now, as of mid-January, we're seeing temperatures hover around 42°F with a "feels like" closer to 36°F thanks to some pretty persistent western winds. It’s that damp, mostly cloudy chill that settles into your bones.
The Week Ahead: A Total Rollercoaster
If you’re planning your week in Springfield, buckle up. Friday, January 16, is looking like a messy mix of rain and snow with a high of 42°F, but don’t let that semi-mild number fool you. Once the sun goes down, we’re dropping to a low of 21°F.
Saturday is where the real "Welcome to Missouri" moment happens. The high struggles to hit 23°F. That’s it. Even with the sun out, northwest winds at 16 mph are going to make it feel like a freezer. If you’re heading to the grocery store, Saturday morning is the time to wear the heavy-duty parka.
By Sunday, the high bounces back to 39°F, and by next Tuesday, we might actually see 45°F. It’s this constant seesaw—20 degrees one day, 45 the next—that makes everyone in Greene County sick this time of year.
Why the Springfield Missouri Extended Weather Forecast Matters Right Now
Looking further out into late January and February 2026, we’re dealing with the tail end of a weak La Niña. Dr. Anthony Lupo over at the University of Missouri has been tracking this, and basically, it means our winter is acting like it has a "wild card" up its sleeve.
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While the National Weather Service in Springfield is currently seeing sporadic rain and snow showers, the long-term trend suggests we might actually end up warmer than the historical average.
- Historical Normal High (Jan): 44°F
- 2026 Forecast Trend: Slightly above average, but with "frigid" dips.
- Precipitation: We’ve been in a bit of a drought lately, and while we’re hoping for rain to help the soil moisture for the 2026 growing season, the current outlook shows only modest gains.
The real danger in Springfield isn't always the snow—it's the wind chill and the ice. Saturday night, for instance, we’re expecting wind chills to fall into the single digits. That's the kind of cold that snaps pipes and makes your car battery give up the ghost.
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February: The Month of False Hope?
Most people think February is just "January Part Two," but in Springfield, it’s usually when the atmosphere decides to get chaotic. Historically, February highs average about 49°F, but 2026 is looking a bit more aggressive. The Farmer's Almanac and local climate models are pointing toward a "snowstorm potential" in the first few days of February, followed by a surprisingly mild mid-month stretch.
Honestly, it’s the "mild" parts that worry people who have been here a while. When it hits 60°F in February, we all start looking at the sky waiting for the other shoe to drop—usually in the form of a late-season ice storm.
How to Actually Use This Info
Don't just look at the high temperature. Look at the wind. A 45°F day with a 15 mph southwest wind feels okay, but that same temperature with a north wind is a totally different beast.
- Check the Lows: We’re seeing a lot of nights dropping into the teens (like Sunday’s 13°F). If you have outdoor pets or sensitive plants, the "high" doesn't matter; the "low" is what kills.
- Watch the Visibility: The NWS is warning about "convective" snow showers. These are those weird bursts where it’s fine one minute and then you can’t see the bumper of the car in front of you on James River Freeway the next.
- Soil Moisture: If you're a gardener or farmer, keep an eye on the drought levels. We started 2026 with below-average soil moisture, which means even a little snow is better than nothing for the spring bloom.
Basically, the Springfield Missouri extended weather forecast for the rest of January is a mix of "mostly sunny" and "sudden snow flurries." It’s classic Ozarks. Stay flexible, keep a blanket in the trunk, and maybe don't put away the heavy coat just because it hits 50 degrees for one afternoon.
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Actionable Next Step: Check your tire pressure tonight. These 20-degree temperature swings between Friday and Saturday will likely trigger your "low pressure" light, and you don't want to be filling tires at a gas station when the wind chill is 5°F.