8:11 p.m. update

The heat wave that has gripped the area for the last several days and delivered near-record temperatures has passed. The National Weather Service has allowed the excessive heat warning to expire.

Temperatures Wednesday evening still hang near 90 degrees, but triple digits have passed, at least for the time being.

Midnight Wednesday update

An excessive heat warning that has blanketed the county the past several days is set to expire at 7 p.m. tonight.

Temperatures in Lawrence reached 111 degrees Tuesday, three degrees shy of the city’s record high. While temperatures will generally be lower Wednesday, anyone with outdoor activities planned should still use caution. It’s not likely the area will see triple digits, but heat exhaustion is still possible for those working outside.

People with outdoor plans should wear loose fitting clothing and drink plenty of water.