Heat above the substrate

Ok, so I've my python to a much needed larger RUB, which has worked awesomely, as she no longer seems to be as stressed out and trying to escape all night. (She just ate last night fine too). However, I've also moved from paper towls to substrate. Beneath the substrate, the temperature is around 34.5c, whereas above the substrate it's about 29-30c.

My python has not seemed to master the art of burrowing and I'm worried that it's too cold for her on the surface. Yet I also know that if she does end up burrowing one day and it's above 35c, it might damage her by being too hot. What is the solution to this, if there is one?

Put it back on paper

I'd jut dig out the substrate under the hides. Usually I put the hides in first then fill in the substrate around it anyway, so it's more "underground" so to speak and gives them a cave/burrow like feeling.

You can move some of the substrate out from that spot, but honestly if she wants it, I'm sure she'll manage. They're chubby, it's not very hard for them to move stuff aside when they feel like it. My 140g baby dumerils boa somehow managed to move her thermometer all the way across the tub :/