The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is urging Kansans to stay indoors and keep cool after the National Weather Service issued a Heat Advisory for Lawrence and other parts of Kansas from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday.

A Heat Advisory is issued when the temperature and humidity combine to create a heat index of 105 degrees or higher.

Bill Gargan, meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Topeka, said Tuesday looks as if it will cool down to 97 degrees and the NWS will likely forego a heat advisory.

Despite Tuesday’s slightly cooler weather, Wednesday and Thursday temperatures are estimated to reach at least 101 degrees.

The heat will continue Friday with a 100 degree high. A 20-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms Saturday will lower the temperature to a high of 95 degrees. The high Sunday is expected to be 93.

The extreme weather poses risk of a heat-related injury or illness.

Kansas State Climatologist Mary Knapp said one of the biggest problems for the week will be the humidity levels in the area and the warm temperatures overnight.

“The dangerous factor is going to be that those nighttime temperatures are going to stay high,” Knapp said. “The body doesn’t get the chance to cool off overnight.”

Other effects of high heat include heat rash, sunburn, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

The KDHE said people should pay attention to co-workers, friends and family for signs of any of these illnesses, especially in elderly people, infants, children and people with chronic medical conditions.

To avoid injury and illness, people should wear sunscreen while outside, avoid strenuous activity, drink cool, nonalcoholic beverages, especially water, and stay inside as much as possible. If planning on being outdoors, people should avoid it during the hottest time of day, which is normally between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Knapp suggested for those who jog or run to do so early in the morning when it’s coolest. If bringing a pet on a run, be aware of the ground temperature because the pavement can be hot and burn their paws. If a pet spends a lot of time outdoors, be sure they have water, shade and a way to cool off.

For more information on keeping safe in extreme heat visit http://www.kdheks.gov/beh/extreme_heat.htm