The western stream turns out to be the hottest (7)
I believe the answer is:
warmest
'hottest' is the definition.
('warm' is associated in meaning with 'hot')
'the western stream turns out' is the wordplay.
'the western' becomes 'w'.
'turns out' is an anagram indicator.
'stream' with letters rearranged gives 'armest'.
'w'+'armest'='WARMEST'
'to be the' acts as a link.
This may not be correct. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for warmest that I've seen before include "Most cordial or friendly, wishes say" , "Closest" , "Most hot" , "most pleasant" , "Most affectionate, greetings perhaps" .)