Temperatures remain high for Knoxville area

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. ( WATE ) — A heat warning has been issued for this week by the Knoxville-Knox County Emergency Management Agency (KEMA), as temperatures reach near-record highs.

The agency stated over the weekend that people should seek shelter, wear loose clothing and keep hydrated to avoid heat-related illness.

Jeremy Buckles, a lead meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Morristown spoke with WATE to share some tips for staying safe in the heat.

“Heat-related deaths are preventable. We can all prevent it and the first thing is to never leave people or pets in parked, locked vehicles,” Buckles said. “These vehicles heat up very rapidly and it can turn fatal very quickly so please never that if you’re going to be out in the heat. Definitely stay hydrated, take frequent breaks and try to stay cool.”

NWS-Morristown shared on its social media Monday morning that it would be “another hot one,” but Wednesday will mark the last day “of anomalously hot conditions” with cooler temperatures expected for the latter half of the work week.

6 Storm Team meteorologists have been tracking the heat for days and making notes of the heat’s approach to record temperatures.

“Yesterday was the hottest day in Knoxville since July 2012,” 6 Storm Team Meteorologist Matt Condon confirmed. “So, it is uncommon for temperatures to be this high. Similar conditions can be expected (Monday).”

For Monday, temperature highs will be in the upper 90s, with some high-level clouds expected to filter out some of the sunshine. “Feels-like” temperatures will be between 100° and 105°. The forecast high for Knoxville is 98° which would tie the daily high record set back in 1995.

For more information about East Tennessee weather, check out the 6 Storm Team weather blog here .

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