Storms in forecast for Saturday, Sunday

Storm chances (National Weather Service graphic)

Storm chances will drop off today’s forecast, then they will increase on Saturday and Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

Today, Wyandotte County is under an air quality alert, with residents asked to avoid activities that will contribute to air pollution.

Widespread storms could develop in western Kansas this evening, then spread east overnight, according to the weather service.

The storms may arrive in northeast Kansas by early Saturday morning, producing gusty winds and small hail, the weather service said.

More storms could develop over southeast Nebraska and northeast Kansas late Saturday afternoon, the weather service said. These storms could produce damaging winds, hail and even an isolated tornado.

Sunday’s forecast contains a lot of uncertainty, but forecasters said some strong storms may linger into the early morning, with redevelopment possible during the afternoon, according to the weather service.

Today, the high will be near 84 with light and variable winds becoming east southeast 5 to 7 mph in the morning, the weather service said.

Tonight, the low will be around 65 with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4 a.m., according to the weather service. An east southeast wind will be around 6 mph.

Saturday, there is a 40 percent chance of rain and storms, the weather service said, mainly before 1 p.m. The high will be near 86 with an east southeast wind of 6 to 13 mph, gusting as high as 22 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is expected.

Saturday night, there will be a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a low of 65, according to the weather service, and a south southeast wind of 7 to 11 mph. Between a quarter and half-inch of rain is possible.

Sunday, there is a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 p.m., the weather service said. The high will be near 80 with a southwest wind of 8 to 10 mph.

Sunday night, there is a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m., according to the weather service. The low will be around 60.

Monday, the high will be near 81 with mostly sunny skies, the weather service said.

Monday night, expect a low of 65, according to the weather service.

Tuesday, skies will be mostly sunny with a high near 86, the weather service said.

Tuesday, the low will be around 67, according to the weather service.

Wednesday, there is a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the forecast, with a high near 85, the weather service said.

Wednesday night, there will be a 40 percent chance of rain and storms, with a low of 67, according to the weather service.

Thursday, there is a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a high near 82, the weather service.

Severe weather outlook Saturday (National Weather Service graphic)

Severe weather outlook Sunday (National Weather Service graphic)

Wyandotte girls soccer falls in regional final

Junior goalkeeper Reyna Espino (0) made a leaping save in the second half. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

The Wyandotte Lady Bulldogs season came to a disappointing end on Thursday evening with an 8 – 0 loss at home to St. Thomas Aquinas in the 5A regional final.

Aquinas used quick lateral passes to move smoothly down the field, and many times their forwards were able to turn the corner near the Wyandotte end line for crosses into the box. The Saints didn’t finish as many of those crosses as they should have, but more than enough to put up an imposing score.

Aquinas coach Craig Ewing took advantage of his deeper bench, substituting entire shifts of players midway through each half to keep fresh legs on the field.

Despite the eight goals allowed, Bulldogs goalkeeper Reyna Espino played an inspired game. Under pressure the entire 80 minutes, she made several remarkable saves, leaping to tip the ball over the bar and diving to the side to gather in an Aquinas liner.

Espino played even more aggressively in the second half, coming way off her line to intercept Aquinas attackers. Although it caused the Saints to rush and miss some shots, her risky approach failed her three times when Aquinas put the ball into an empty net off a tip or rebound.

Senior midfielder Cheyanne Woltkamp played with abandon in her last game at Wyandotte. She hounded Aquinas ball handlers relentlessly at both ends of the field and disrupted attacking runs with physical tackles.

The Wyandotte Lady Bulldogs had their best season ever, romping through the Kansas City – Atchison League and compiling a 12-3 regular season record. Wyandotte beat Schlagle on Tuesday evening to get to the final game.

Aquinas, ranked the sixth best team in Kansas by MaxPreps, moves on to the state quarterfinals and will play Blue Valley Southwest on May 22.

Wyandotte senior midfielder Cheyanne Woltkamp (39) pursued Aquinas midfielder Amanda Hamm (14) before catching her along the right sideline. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Freshman defender Joselyn Toraya (28) won a ball in the air. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Wyandotte junior forward Semira Gebrezgabher (30) fought to clear the ball past Aquinas senior forward Olivia Chalabi (3). (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Wyandotte junior defender Pamela Rosales (41) headed the ball out of the Wyandotte end. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Cheyanne Woltkamp collected a pass in the Aquinas end. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Freshman defender Joselyn Toraya (28) prepared to clear the ball. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Semira Gebrezgabher and Aquinas junior defender Meg Ramaekers (12) attempted to get control of the ball. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Cheyanne Woltkamp threw herself in front of a kick from Aquinas senior defender Kat Miller (11). (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Wyandotte coach Josh Wikler encouraged the team after the loss, calling them a model for future teams to look up to. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Signs of construction were all around as the historic Wyandotte High School building undergoes extensive renovations. The entire plumbing system is being replaced, and a medical sciences lab, culinary lab, and other specialized learning areas are being added. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

Air quality alert in effect Friday

An air quality alert is in effect for Friday, May 18, according to the Mid America Regional Council.

Outdoor Air Quality Index, or AQI, values in excess of 100 are expected, with ozone as the primary pollutant. It is an orange ozone alert.

To promote healthy air quality, RideKC will cut the cost of riding the bus in half when an ozone alert is issued. Riding the bus instead of driving will cut emissions from vehicles. Area transit providers will offer 75-cent bus rides during ozone alerts.

Avoid activities which lead to ozone formation, according to MARC. These include refueling vehicles or topping off when refueling idling vehicles unnecessarily and using gasoline-powered lawn equipment.

Recommended are car pooling, biking to work, delaying or combining errands and using water-based paints and cleaners.

MARC recommended that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. Those who are especially sensitive may include the very young, those with pre-existing conditions such as asthma or heart disease.