OK class, here’s a quick hot weather quiz: How many 100-plus degree days have we had this summer in Lawrence?

If you guessed 11, give yourself an “A” on the quiz — and go get a big cold glass of water. That’s because we’re on our way to coping with the 12th 100-degree day this afternoon.

¢Latest forecast

Tuesday’s high is expected to reach 104, with the combined humidity sending the heat index up to 105 to 110 degrees, said Matt Sayers, 6News meteorologist.

Heat advisories have been issued for the Kansas City metropolitan area, warning area residents — especially children and the elderly — to avoid prolonged periods outdoors.

“Just drink lots of water and avoid alcohol and caffeine because it dehydrates you and you can lose up to a gallon of water an hour,” Sayers said.

The low is expected to drop to 74 overnight.

But two more 100-plus degree days are expected for this week: Wednesday’s high will be 102 and Thursday’s temperature will top out near 100.

Friday and Saturday’s temperatures will cool down a bit, with the highs topping out in the upper 90s.

The only chance of rain this week is a 20 percent chance of some thunderstorms Wednesday evening into Thursday, Sayers said.

The dozen 100-plus degree days thus far in 2003 is not a record by any means, Sayers said.

“In 2000, we had 15 days just in August that were over 100 and five in September — 20 all together,” Sayers said.

He didn’t have access to full temperature records for Lawrence. But he provided two:

• The hottest recorded temperature in Lawrence was 114, which was set Aug. 10, 1934, and matched Aug. 14, 1936.
• And the latest in the year the temperature reached 100 or more was Sept. 28, 1953, when it hit 103.