The burners are being turned up full throttle in Lawrence today.

“It’s going to be another scorcher,” said Jennifer Schack, 6News meteorologist. “With the temperature at 101, the heat index should be up to 115 for several hours this afternoon.”

At 3:30 p.m., the temperature at the 6News studios in downtown Lawrence was 102 degrees and the humidity was 47 percent, making the heat index 120.9 degrees, according to the National Weather Service’s heat index calculator.

The National Weather Service has put out a heat advisory through 7 p.m. today.

The weather service advises:

¢ Limiting exposure to the heat and avoiding strenuous physical activity.

¢ Drinking plenty of non-alcoholic fluids to avoid dehydration.

¢ Wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and a hat and using sunscreen to reduce possible sunburn.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius also urged Kansans to take precautions during the high heat. She provided the following heat safety tips from the American Red Cross:

¢ Be a good neighbor. During heat waves, check on elderly residents in your neighborhood and those who do not have air conditioning. The elderly are especially prone to heat illnesses.

¢ Know the symptoms of heat illnesses: dizziness, rapid heartbeat, throbbing headaches, breathing difficulty, nausea, cramps, vomiting and diarrhea. If you should experience these symptoms, get medical help immediately and seek a cool environment until help arrives.

¢ Don’t get too much sun. Sunburn inhibits the body’s ability to cool itself. And when in the sun, protect your skin and eyes from harmful UV rays by wearing sunscreen and protective glasses.

¢ Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 and 7 a.m.

¢ Dress for summer in lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect some of the sun’s energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats or use an umbrella.

This morning’s low temperature was 77 degrees. The average low temperature for this date is 70 degrees. The record low was 56 degrees, set in 1967.

The average high temperature for this date is 91 degrees. The record high was 109 degrees, set in 1934.

The hot and dry weather continues for the next several days, Schack said.

Tuesday’s morning low will be 75 degrees, with Tuesday’s high climbing to 101 degrees and sunny skies.

The heat continues Wednesday, with the low beginning at 75 degrees, climbing to a high of 100 degrees Wednesday afternoon.