15th anniversary of May 4 tornadoes, but no severe weather in today’s forecast

It is the 15th anniversary of the May 4, 2003, tornadoes that went through Wyandotte County, Kansas, and several surrounding counties, but no chances for tornadoes are in today’s forecast from the National Weather Service.

The May 4, 2003, tornadoes rated as F4 caused extensive damage near the Pomeroy area of Kansas City, Kansas, with additional damage located in other areas of Wyandotte County, as well as in Leavenworth, Platte and Clay counties, and in other areas. Two persons in Kansas City, Kansas, died as a result of injuries received from the tornado. Sixty-nine buildings in Wyandotte County were destroyed.

For a small collection of photos from that event, visit the weather service site at https://www.weather.gov/eax/may042003#tor8.

This year, a tornado hit two days before the anniversary in Johnson County, Kansas, according to the weather service. On May 2, 2018, a tornado, reported as EF1, hit the Nottingham neighborhood near 140th and Antioch, where several trees were damaged. Schools on 135th Streets had window damage from the tornado before it dissipated near the state line. Several other areas had tornado and wind damage, according to the weather service. Other EF0 tornadoes were reported in Belton, Missouri, and Raytown, Missouri.

For this weekend, nice weather is in the forecast.

Today’s forecast is sunny with a high near 76 and a northwest wind of 7 to 9 mph, the weather service said.

Tonight, expect a low of 53 with a northwest wind of 6 mph becoming light and variable after midnight, according to the weather service.

Saturday, it will be sunny with a high near 83, and a west northwest wind of 3 to 5 mph, the weather service said.

Saturday night, it will be partly cloudy with a low of 58 and a south southwest wind of 3 to 6 mph, according to the weather service.

Sunday, the high will be near 79 with partly sunny skies and a west wind of 6 to 9 mph becoming north in the afternoon, the weather service said.

Sunday night, it will be mostly clear with a low of 54, according to the weather service.

Monday, it will be sunny with a high near 75, the weather service said.

Monday night, the low will be around 56 with partly cloudy skies, according to the weather service.

Tuesday, it will be partly sunny with a high near 78, the weather service said.

Tuesday night, there is a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a low of 63, according to the weather service.

Wednesday, there is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a high near 80, the weather service said.

Wednesday night, there will be a 40 percent chance of showers with a low of 59, according to the weather service.

Thursday will be mostly sunny, with a high near 80, the weather service said.

Bonner Springs girls drop match 3 – 2 in overtime

Junior forward Sydni Bolewski (6) dribbled past a Spring Hill defender. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

Bonner Springs High School girls soccer team lost 3 – 2 in overtime against Spring Hill on Tuesday night in Bonner Springs.

The Lady Braves scored first, only four minutes into the game, when senior midfielder Hope Seaton sent a long ball forward for junior forward Sydni Bolewski. Bolewski outpaced the Broncos defense to fire a shot from 12 yards that beat goalkeeper Meg Putnam.

Spring Hill controlled the time of possession for the remainder of the first half, picking up its first goal with 16 minutes remaining in the half and moving ahead with eight minutes remaining, taking a 2 – 1 lead to halftime.

Bonner Springs was not able to eliminate Spring Hill’s ball control advantage in the second half, but Bolewski and fellow forward Trinity Jones created counter-attacking opportunities as Spring Hill pulled its defenders far forward, often to the midfield line.

Seaton tied the game midway through the second half when Bolewski earned a Spring Hill foul on an attacking run. From about 30 yards, Seaton arced the kick just over Putnam’s outstretched arms and into the net.

Regulation time ended with the game tied 2 – 2, but less than a minute into the sudden death overtime period Spring Hill senior Anna Watson got past the Bonner defense and scored the winning goal.

Bonner Springs drops to 6-3-1 on the season. They will play next on Monday evening against De Soto High School.

Senior midfielder Hope Seaton’s (2) hug lifted junior forward Sydni Bolewski (6) off the ground as they celebrated combining for a goal in the early minutes of the game. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Senior defender Sydney Hunt (30) headed the ball. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Hope Seaton’s perfectly placed free kick sailed over the leap of Spring Hill goalkeeper Meg Putnam. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Senior players on the team, including goalkeeper Martina Glenn (00), were honored at halftime. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Hope Seaton made a run at the Spring Hill goal in the first half. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Sydni Bolewski stopped the run of a Broncos player. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Senior midfielder Sarah Hunt tried to win the ball. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Junior forward Trinity Jones fought for possession. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

Weather advisory issued for Wyandotte County

A weather advisory has been issued for Wyandotte County, according to the National Weather Service.

At 10:58 p.m. Thursday, May 3, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along a line extending near Lewis and Clark Village to near Leavenworth, then to Linwood.

Movement was east at 55 mph.

Dime-size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with these storms.

The weather service said locations affected included Kansas City, Kansas, Bonner Springs, Edwardsville, Leavenworth, Overland Park, Independence, Shawnee, Liberty, Gladstone, Lansing, Merriam, Mission, Smithville, Kearney, DeSoto, Parkville, Tonganoxie, Platte City, Basehor and North Kansas City.

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