Take your umbrella and maybe some rain boots with you today and tomorrow when you head outside. National Weather Service meteorologist Jason Schaumann says two to five inches of rain are expected across the Missouri Ozarks through tomorrow night.
The Springfield area is forecast to see two and a half to three and a half inches of rain with up to five inches possible in West Plains.
All that rain will likely result in flooding.
"We've got a flash flood watch that's in effect roughly along and southeast of the I-44 corridor, so we're absolutely concerned with the flash flood potential, especially as we get into later tonight and Tuesday, but we also will be watching for the potential of river flooding as we get into the mid week period," he said.
A few isolated thunderstorms are possible this afternoon through tomorrow. Some weather models, he said,are showing a very thin line of thunderstorms pushing through the MO Ozarks tomorrow morning through the afternoon.
"We'll be watching those closely as there is the potential for a few of those to become strong to possibly severe, especially across far southern Missouri," he said.
As the rain falls, Schaumann said motorist should use caution.
"First of all, we do expect ponding on area roadways just given the moderate to heavy rainfall we're expecting over the next couple of days, but if you're encountering some of those low water crossings that typically flood, turn around, don't drown. We don't want you driving through those low water crossings. That's a life threatening situation," he said.
And he said drivers of high profile vehicles on east to west highways need to take care since winds could gust to 35 miles per hour.
The rain should taper off tomorrow night.
