NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The News 2 Weather Authority team is forecasting the hottest temperatures of the year to arrive for the start of summer. A 'heat dome' will bring extreme temperatures to the eastern half of the United States.

The forecast for the first weekend of summer is for temperatures in the mid-90s and feels like temperatures over 100° from Saturday, June 21, through Wednesday, June 25.

These high temperatures are caused by a heat dome. The term 'heat dome' is relatively new, but it does a great job of describing what's going to happen.

A heat dome describes the impacts that a large, slow-moving area of high pressure has on the atmosphere. High pressure typically leads to sunny and dry weather. This is because high pressure causes sinking air, and the sinking causes the air to dry out and heat up.

The sinking air also acts as a dome because it prevents the hottest air near the surface from escaping. This is why during prolonged heat domes, we can start to see air quality issues.

For this event, the high pressure will move over us starting this weekend, and it won't exit until at least Wednesday or Thursday, June 26.

This prolonged period of dry weather will cause the temperatures to get hotter and hotter. By the middle of next week, temperatures could be near 100°.

It won't be a dry heat either. Thanks to all the rain we have seen this year, the humidity will remain very high. This will make it feel like over 105°!

These extreme feels-like temperatures will prompt the National Weather Service to issue its first heat advisories of the year. It's unlikely, but if it gets even hotter, they will have to issue extreme heat warnings.

With this extreme heat on the way, it is important to take safety precautions. Take frequent breaks, drink a lot of water, and know the difference if you are experiencing heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/weather-headlines/heat-dome-tn-hottest-temperatures-of-the-year-so-far/