The peak temperature in the corona of plasma ejected by a laser-irradiated slab is discussed in terms of a one-electron-temperature model. Both heat-flux saturation and pulse rise-time effects are considered; the intensity in the rising half of the pulse is approximated by a linear function of time, I(t) ≡ I0t/τ. The temperature is found to be proportional to (I0λ2)2/3 and a function of I0λ4/τ. Above a certain value of I0λ4/τ, the plasma presents two characteristic temperatures (at saturation and at the critical surface) which can be identified with experimentally observed cold- and hot-electron temperatures. The results are compared with extensive experimental data available for both Nd and CO2 lasers, I0(W·cm−2) λ2 (μm) starting around 1012. The agreement is good if substantial flux inhibition is assumed (flux-limit factor f ≅ 0.03), and fails for I0λ2 above 1O15. Results for both ablation pressure and mass ablation rate are also given.