SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — The National Weather Service says up to 8 inches of rain could fall across southwest and eastern Missouri overnight and into Sunday, with a flash flood watch in effect for more than one-third of the state.

The heaviest rain was expected early Sunday morning along a line from the southwest corner of the state to Rolla and Osage Beach, with many roads in the region in danger of being flooded. Some areas could see the rain continue well into Monday.

The weather service says the precipitation could push many area rivers to major or even record flood stages.

Farther east, the weather service says embedded thunderstorms will continue through Monday afternoon and drop 3 to 8 inches of rain from south of Jefferson City to St. Louis.