By MIKE CORN

mcorn@dailynews.net

Despite all the hoopla over the prospects of tropical storm Hermine dousing Kansas with an abundance of rain, it looks as if the Kansas showers will be limited to the eastern half of the state.

For the Hays area and points west, about all the storm will do is provide a few clouds and keep the temperatures low, perhaps in the high 70s, said Larry Ruthi, meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service in Dodge City.

Most likely, he said, the heavy rains that have been forecast for Texas and Oklahoma will take a sharp turn to the east as it enters Kansas, remaining well south of Ellis County.

That means the Wichita area could receive the brunt of the remnants of the tropical storm.

"I'm not too optimistic," Ruthi said of any rain falling in either southwest Kansas or the Hays area. "There will be clouds around, and it will hold the temperatures down some. I'm not terribly optimistic we'll get much out of it."

If anything falls, tonight will provide the best chance, but it's likely to be only sprinkles or a light rain.

As a result, he said, there's not much chance for moisture until sometime next week, if all holds together.

Temperatures are expected to warm back up into the 90s on Friday, just in time for another weather system -- bringing cooler temperatures but little chance for rain -- Friday night.

Another front should sweep through Kansas early next week, a system that has the potential for a little moisture.