Month: October 2020

Red Cross blood drive today at Cabelas

A Red Cross blood drive is taking place from 10 am.. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at Cabelas, 10300 Cabela Drive, Kansas City, Kansas.

There is a need for more blood donations to maintain a sufficient blood supply for hospital patietns in need, according to a spokesman.

Those who come in to donate blood in a Red Cross blood drive from Oct. 15 through Nov. 11 will receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card through email, courtesy of Suburban Propane, according to a spokesman. Plus, those who come in to give blood in October are automatically entered for a chance to win a $1,000 Amazon.com gift card. There will be five winners, according to a spokesman.

The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether an individual developed COVID-19 symptoms. Red Cross antibody tests will be helpful to identify individuals who have COVID-19 antibodies and may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions, according to a spokesman. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood donation collected from COVID-19 survivors that have antibodies that may help patients who are actively fighting the virus.

COVID-19 antibody test results will be available within one to two weeks in the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.

The Red Cross also is encouraging people to get flu vaccines. Flu shots will not affect giving blood, as long as a person is symptom-free and fever-free, according to a spokesman.

Persons who are interested in donating blood to a Red Cross blood drive may visit RedCrossBlood.org. They also may call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Storms in tonight’s forecast, wind advisory in effect

There is a marginal risk of storms tonight in Wyandotte County. (National Weather Service graphic)
A wind advisory is in effect today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. (National Weather Service graphic)

Today’s forecast from the National Weather Service includes possible storms tonight, and a wind advisory from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A strong cold front with storms will move through the area in the evening, and some storms could develop with severe wind gusts and large hail, the weather service said.

Winds may gust as high as 43 mph this afternoon, according to the weather service.

Today’s high will be near 83, and this will be the last day in the 80s through the next week, the forecast stated. Temperatures will drop to a low of 39 tonight, and a high of 47 on Friday.

It’s time to bring in the outdoor plants and the last of the garden vegetables, as the low will reach 32 on Friday night. There is a chance of frost on Friday night and Saturday morning, according to the weather service. Snow is possible on Monday and Tuesday.

There is a 10 percent chance of showers after 5 p.m. today, with a high near 83 during the day. It will be breezy, with a south southwest wind at 9 to 14 mph increasing to 19 to 24 mph in the afternoon, the weather service said. Winds may gust as high as 43 mph.

Tonight, there is a 80 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms likely before 10 p.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m., then showers likely after 4 a.m., according to the weather service. The low will be around 39 with a south southwest wind of 10 to 16 mph, becoming north northwest after midnight. Winds may gust as high as 22 mph. Between a quarter and half-inch of rain is possible.

Friday, there is a 60 percent chance of showers before 7 a.m., the weather service said. The high will be near 47 with a north wind of 14 to 16 mph, gusting as high as 23 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is possible.

Friday night, areas of frost will be possible before 3 a.m., then widespread frost after 4 a.m., according to the weather service. The low will be around 32 with a north northeast wind of 4 to 9 mph.

Saturday, widespread frost is possible before 8 a.m., the weather service said. The high will be near 49 with an east wind of 6 to 9 mph.

Saturday night, there is a 20 percent chance of showers after 1 a.m., with a low of 44, according to the weather service.

Sunday, there is a 50 percent chance of showers possible, with a high near 50, the weather service said.

Sunday night, there is a 40 percent chance of rain showers before 2 a.m., then a chance of rain and snow showers, according to the weather service. The low will be around 30.

Monday, there is a 30 percent chance of snow showers before 1 p.m., the weather service said. The high will be near 36.

Monday night, widespread frost is possible before 3 a.m., then widespread frost after 4 a.m., according to the weather service. The low will be around 24.

Tuesday, there is a 30 percent chance of rain and snow showers, with a widespread frost, the weather service said. The high will be near 39.

Tuesday night, there will be widespread frost, with a low of 28, according to the weather service.

Wednesday, there will be widespread frost, with a high near 48, the weather service said.