Dangerous wind chills in today’s forecast

National Weather Service graphic

Widespread temperature readings in the negative single digits have combined with north winds to produce dangerous cold wind chills today, according to the National Weather Service.

The temperature in Wyandotte County at 8 a.m. was zero, with a wind chill reading of minus 17, the weather service said.

A wind chill advisory is in effect until noon today, according to the weather service.

Later today, the high will reach 10 degrees, with a northwest wind of 7 to 10 mph, the weather service said.

Cold wind chill readings will reappear tonight into Wednesday morning as temperatures drop down into the single digits, plus above and below freezing, according to the weather service.

Frostbite may occur in as little as 30 minutes to exposed skin, the weather service said. Hypothermia also is a risk. Those going outdoors should wear hats and gloves, according to the weather service.

Temperatures will warm up for the last half of the working week, to 25 on Wednesday and 40 on Thursday, the weather service said.

Tonight, the low will be around zero, with wind chill values of between minus 2 and minus 7, according to the weather service. A northwest wind of 5 to 7 mph will become light and variable in the evening.

Wednesday, it will be sunny with a high near 25, and wind chill readings between minus 8 and 2, the weather service said. There will be a south southwest wind of 3 to 8 mph.

Wednesday night, it will be clear with a low of 17 and a south southwest wind of 7 to 9 mph, according to the weather service.

Thursday, the high will be near 40 with sunny skies and a south southwest wind of 8 to 11 mph, the weather service said.

Thursday night, the low will be around 27 with mostly clear skies, according to the weather service.

Friday, skies will be sunny with a high near 48, the weather service said.

Friday night, it will be partly cloudy with a low of 39, according to the weather service.

Saturday, it will be partly sunny with a high near 54, the weather service said.

Saturday night, it will be mostly cloudy with a low of 37, according to the weather service.

Sunday, there is a 70 percent chance of showers with a high near 49, the weather service said.

Sunday night, there is a 40 percent chance of rain and snow showers with a low of 26, according to the weather service.

Monday, it will be sunny with a high near 42, the weather service said.

National Weather Service graphic

Cold weather prompts schools to close Tuesday

With overnight temperatures dipping to a low of minus 3, and Tuesday’s high near 10, area schools have canceled classes on Tuesday.

The Kansas City, Kansas, Bonner Springs, Piper and Turner school districts have canceled classes.

Wind chill readings are expected to be between minus 11 and minus 21 on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. A wind chill advisory is in effect from now until noon Tuesday, the weather service said.

For more information about the weather, visit www.weather.gov.

KCK celebrates Dr. King’s legacy

Theory Bryant, a student at V. Lindsay SDA School, wowed the crowd with her impassioned recitation of the “I Have a Dream” speech. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

A crowd of around 750 braved the ice and cold to honor the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Reardon Convention Center in Kansas City, Kan.

The Rev. Calvin Butts III of the Abyssinian Baptist Church of New York City gave an address, placing King’s vision within the long line of biblical and modern prophets in calling for equality, peace and health. He related each of those visions to contemporary political and social issues.

Butts exhorted the crowd to “go to work” using King’s vision as a blueprint, specifically commending Kansas City’s Mount Zion Baptist Church for their work in building homes.

Thirty-five Wyandotte County students received the Rev. C.E. Taylor-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarships, and over $13,000 toward the scholarship fund was collected from the crowd and from business and church sponsors.

Stanton Parker II, a scholarship recipient in 2008 and now a consultant with the Ernst & Young accounting firm, addressed the students. He offered three of them a choice between $100 and his business card. Each of the students chose the business card, demonstrating Parker’s point that connections were important to future success.

The mass choir sang several gospel hymns that had many in the crowd clapping and singing along. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Newly installed KCK mayor David Alvey reiterated King’s message of Christian faith. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
The Rev. Calvin O. Butts III gave the keynote address. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Stanton Parker II posed after the celebration with Tyler Whitmire, who took the initiative to ask for (and get) Parker’s $100. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)