Rain in forecast from today through Monday

Wyandotte County is in an area of marginal risk for thunderstorms today and tonight. (National Weather Service graphic)

An 80 percent chance of rain is in today’s forecast from the National Weather Service.

Scattered storms are possible today, mainly before 3 p.m., the weather service said.

Thunderstorms could produce heavy rain and localized flooding, according to the weather service. Isolated damaging winds up to 60 mph and small hail are possible.

Isolated to scattered storms are also possible Saturday through the end of the weekend, the weather service said.

Severe weather is not expected, but lightning, gusty winds and heavy rainfall will be possible with any strong storm, according to the weather service.

The Missouri and Kansas rivers in Wyandotte County are currently below flood stage, as of Friday morning.

Today, the forecast for Wyandotte County is a high near 88, with an 80 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 3 p.m., the weather service said. A light and variable wind will become east around 6 mph in the afternoon. The area may receive between a half and three-quarters of an inch of rain.

Tonight, there is a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a low of 71, according to the weather service. An east southeast wind of 6 mph will become light and variable. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is possible.

Saturday, there is a 40 percent chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1 p.m., the weather service said. The high will be near 86 with a light and variable wind becoming northwest 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is expected.

Saturday night, there is a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a low of 71, according to the weather service. There will be a calm wind. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is expected.

Sunday, there is a 40 percent chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1 p.m., the weather service said. The high will be near 86 with a calm wind. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is expected.

Sunday night, there will be a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 a.m., according to the weather service. The low will be around 71. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is expected.

Monday, there is a 30 percent chance of showers with a high near 88, the weather service said.

Monday night, it will be partly cloudy with a low of 73, according to the weather service.

Tuesday, there is a 30 percent chance of showers before 1 p.m., with a high near 91, the weather service said.

Tuesday night, there is a 30 percent chance of showers after 1 a.m., with a low of 74, according to the weather service.

Wednesday, it will be mostly sunny with a high near 92, the weather service said.

Wednesday night, the low will be around 71, according to the weather service.

Thursday, it will be mostly sunny with a high near 89, the weather service said.

Firefighters thanked with cookout

At the fire station at 816 N. 6th St., Kansas City, Kansas, on the Fourth of July. (Photo by Aaron Monson)
A cookout was held today for firefighters at the fire station at 816 N. 6th St., Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Aaron Monson)

The Fourth of July is often one of the busiest days of the year for the Fire Department. Today the firefighters at the Fire Department, 816 N. 6th St., Kansas City, Kansas, were treated to lunch.

Aaron Monson, producer of a new Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department 3D Video Tour, and his crew grilled hot dogs, hamburgers and provided chips and cookies for the firefighters downtown.

“Today we’re hanging out and giving back to them, cooking them lunch and dinner,” Monson said. “It’s inspiring what they do every day.”

Firefighters are modern-day heroes, and he would like to thank them.

Monson and his team have been interviewing firefighters and following them around recently to make a 3D virtual reality recruiting program for the Fire Department. The department hopes it will help in recruiting new firefighters and EMTs.

He used a special camera using a 3D technology called photogrammetry, usually used for real estate marketing, but in this case, it was used for film location scanning. Seven crew members worked on the project, according to Monson, and he spent almost 200 hours reviewing, editing and re-editing the videos and 3D tour.

Monson just posted the 3D tour on his website at 1 a.m. today, he said. It is online at aaronjmonson.me.

– Information from Kathy Hanis

At the Kansas City, Kansas, fire station at 816 N. 6th St., on the Fourth of July. (Photo by Aaron Monson)
At the Kansas City, Kansas, fire station at 816 N. 6th St., on the Fourth of July. (Photo by Aaron Monson)
At the Kansas City, Kansas, fire station at 816 N. 6th St., on the Fourth of July. (Photo by Aaron Monson)
Firefighters posed with a 3D video crew on the Fourth of July at the fire station at 816 N. 6th St. (Photo by Aaron Monson)