Very hot conditions, with record or near-record temperatures, are expected once again across much of southwest Kansas for Thursday.

A heat advisory is in effect for this afternoon for areas from Hays south to Larned and St. John down to Medicine Lodge.

Farther west, apparent temperatures will be a bit lower, from 100 to 104 degrees, due to a drier atmosphere. In this area, extreme fire danger will exist due to the combination of very low relative humidity and south winds of 25 to 30 mph.