Ottawa residents Josh Sams, left, and Lexie Sams, right, stayed cool as they tossed their daughter, Abby, 2, between one another in this file photo at Lone Star Lake. The lake, about 12 miles southwest of Lawrence, is owned by the county. The Public Works Department, after a review following two recent drowning deaths, doesn’t plan to seek any major changes to lake regulations.

The National Weather Service in Topeka has extended an excessive heat warning for Douglas County until 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Temperatures combined with humidity levels Wednesday afternoon hours will produce a heat index in the 103- to 108-degree range.

Tuesday, the temperature surged into the triple digit mark for the second straight day. Lawrence hit 100 degrees with a heat index of 111 at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Monday was the hottest day in Lawrence in more than a year with a heat index in excess of 115 degrees. This topped the year’s previous high index of 113 degrees, set July 20. Monday’s high temperature of 101 degrees approached the record high for Aug. 2 — 105 degrees set in 1934.

6News Chief Meteorologist Matt Elwell said despite today’s hot weather, we won’t get near the all-time high for Aug. 3 of 109 degrees, set in 1918.

With the heat advisories and extreme heat common this time of year in Kansas, Elwell said it’s possible area residents could lose some vigilance regarding the potentially serious effects of the extreme heat, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

“That’s always a fear,” he said, advising everyone to take simple precautions such as drinking a lot of fluids. “By the time they realize they’re dehydrated, it’s too late.”

The silver lining to the heat? We’ll cool off by Friday, Elwell said, as the forecast high dips to 93 degrees.

Here are a few reminders to help you avoid heat exhaustion or stroke:

• Avoid prolonged or strenuous physical activity.

• Drink plenty of nonalcoholic fluids.

• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.

• Wearing a hat and using sunscreen will help reduce the possibility of getting sunburned.