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Looking deeper with meteorologists into the abrupt rise in temperatures

If the recent blazing heat caught you off guard, there's a good explanation!

According to the National Weather Service, the average high temperature for Knoxville on May 23 is 80 degrees. That's well below where we are now after the heat soared into the low 90s on Thursday. 

The question is why?

"We just snapped out of a blackberry cold winter cold snap in the 60s for three days in a row and we didn't have very much of an acclimation period. Just like that, we are jumping up in the 90s," Chief Meteorologist Todd Howell said.

As we kick off Memorial Day weekend, many East Tennessee cities will see close to a week of 90 degree temperatures

"This is above average by about 10 to 12 degrees or so," Todd said. 

According to the National Weather Service, on average, Knoxville sees 34 days at or above the 90 degree mark a year. With a few 90 degree days already, we aren't even close to the peak heat season. 

"Usually late July and into the first half of August, that's when we see our maximum temperatures reached in Knoxville on average," Todd said. 

Meteorologists said in East Tennessee -- areas like Cleveland, Athens and Sweetwater will typically warm up the quickest. Then temperatures will rise in Knoxville, Morristown and Johnson City as the season progresses. 

"As you go down in elevation and closer to sea level, that's where you will see the warmer temperatures. As you go up in elevation it typically is cooler with thinner air," Todd said. 

If you think it's hot now, just be glad it's nowhere near the all-time high. The highest temperature Knoxville has ever been was 105 degrees, which was recorded at McGhee Tyson Airport two days straight in 2012 on June 30 and July 1. 

"This is not necessarily an indicator of how hot the summer will be. Overall, our summer is expected to be average," Howell said. 

In Tennessee, Perryville holds the record for having the hottest recorded day in the state's history at 113 degrees back on Aug. 9, 1930.

While it may seem like there's no end in sight when you look at the forecast, meteorologists are confident the hot snap will soon break and cooler temps will be on the way. 

 

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