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World Soccer Comes to KC

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When I was a kid in the 1960's, the great Pele came to Kansas City (where I grew up) in the first of innumerable attempts to get Americans to adopt soccer. Our family went to see him (which is why this episode of The Simpsons  is so funny to me) at old Municipal Stadium at 22nd and Brooklyn. This was before Kauffman and Arrowhead Stadia were built.  Today's weather should be great. The first KC World Cup game is tomorrow at 8pm CDT. Our next tornado warning shouldn't be until Wednesday, which is an "off" day, so weather will be okay soccer-wise for the first game.  And, for the benefit of everyone beyond a 100 mile radius of downtown, Arrowhead Stadium is in Missouri , not Kansas. If your GPS tells you otherwise, it is incorrect. For the tournament, FIFA says it must be called "Kansas City Stadium." Don't ask me why. For locals: I have been to three restaurants since Thursday and all were less busy than usual. Jack Stack and 3rd St. Social have imp...

World Cup: Welcome to Kansas City!

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All of the teams have arrived and, thanks to Mother Nature's sense of humor, the city has put on a spectacular display of weather for each on their respective first nights: a tornado warning. Really. Four teams setting up their "base camps" here and four tornado warnings.  Eric Graves, KMBC TV Above is a screen shot of the Argentinian's having a traditional bar-b-que at their hotel last night....while lightning flashed and tornado sirens roared.  The National Weather Service's Kansas City office says it has issued more than 80 tornado warnings so far this year -- by far the most in its history.  Perhaps the most appropriate welcome gift for each player would be a .... weather radio?

Sunday Thought: The Great Betty White

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Shelf Cloud with Damaging Winds Moving into Kansas City about 8:10pm

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Shelf clouds = damaging winds. Winds have gusted to 81 mph behind this one as it approaches Kansas City.  And, hours before the line of thunderstorms that brought damaging winds and tornadoes, weather science told FIFA to cancel the Kansas City FanFest for this evening. That way tens of thousands of people were not  exposed to dangerous weather.  Kansas City International Airport clocked a gust of 79 mph and there were several instances of lofted debris as tornadoes moved across the Metro area. Fox 4 KC

Today's Tornado and Damaging Wind Risk

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Second Tornado Watch of the Day Tornado Watch Until 11pm Please note that in addition to tornadoes, tennis ball-sized hail and thunderstorm-generated winds of 75 mph are also forecast. If these occur, there will be widespread power outages. ----- Looks like a potentially significant severe weather day.   Tornado Risk The brown area has a significant risk of tornadoes and, in the hatched area, strong tornadoes are possible.  Damaging Winds Legend: The pink, hatched area has a high  risk of wind gusts of 75 mph or stronger.  The red, hatched area has an enhanced risk of gusts to 75 mph or stronger. The yellow, hatched area has a significant risk gusts to 75 mph or stronger. The yellow area has a significant risk of gusts to 60 mph or stronger.  Below is an enlargement of the high-risk area: If you live in the high risk area, I recommend putting the car in the garage and bringing in lawn furniture and other items that can be blown about.  Please keep up on the...

Computer on Vacation

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My computer has taken a vacation. Actually it is at the Apple Store getting its keyboard fixed (thus the misspellings of the past few days). Until it comes back, I will not be able to update the blog. 

C'mon Denver, Do Much Better

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In 2011, Joplin found out there are serious consequences to sounding the sirens too often. Please sort out the problem and insure it never happens again.