The weather pattern in the Four States will remain unpredictable over the next 24 hours. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

Average highs for December are near 50 degrees for Joplin. Today, the National Weather Service has forecasted a high of 74 degrees. With the warmer highs during the day, overnight lows have only dropped into the lower and mid-’60s. Joplin’s median low for December is 30 degrees.

On the heels of the devastating storms across five midwestern and southern states last week, Lead Forecaster with the NWS in Springfield, Missouri Steven Lindenberg cautions residents to pay attention to the weather today and tonight. “It is a marginal risk, which is the first step in the severe weather risk levels. The instability is still on the lower side but this time of year you don’t really need a lot.” Steve says the highest chance of severe weather and rain is near Branson, near the Arkasnas/ Missouri border. But residents on the plains of Southeast Kansas and Northeast Oklahoma could remain dry but should expect wind gusts as high as 50 miles per hour today. For 89 9 KRPS, I’m Fred Fletcher-Fierro.