Tennessee
‘Oppressive’ heat is on the way. How long will heat dome last in Tennessee
Heat dome vs heat wave: What’s the difference and why it matters
Heat wave or heat dome? Here’s the difference — and why some extreme heat lasts longer and feels more dangerous.
A “significant” heat wave is on the way.
According to the latest forecast from the Weather Prediction Center, dangerous heat is expected across much of the country, including Tennessee, beginning June 28, and lasting into next week.
The National Weather Service is anticipating temperatures in the 90s to low 100s.
“These hot temperatures combined with high humidity will lead to heat indices of 100-110 degrees and locally as high as 115,” wrote the weather service in a June 25 statement. “Low temperatures only dropping into the 70s will provide little overnight relief.”
Here’s what to know.
What is a heat dome?
Heat domes, also called ridges of high pressure or death ridges, are large bulges of sinking warm air that can stretch up to 1,000 miles in summer, driving temperatures 30 degrees above normal and creating hazardous, drying conditions that often lead to deadly, multi‑day heat waves, Weather.com said.
According to climatecheck.com, the term describes the “oppressive” high-pressure atmospheric systems that cause warm air to be pushed to the Earth’s surface and trapped there for long periods of time.
“The dome traps high-pressure air in one place, like the lid on a pot,” the website said. “These large zones of hot air result in a combination of blistering temperatures, devastating wildfires, and drought conditions.”
How long will the heat dome last?
The period of extreme heat is expected to stretch through Independence Day weekend, lasting until July 6.
High to moderate extreme heat risk is expected across much of the central and eastern U.S. from July 3–4, with a broader slight risk extending through July 6. Heat indices of 100–110 degrees and warm nights in the 70s and 80s may limit relief over the holiday weekend, the weather service reported.
How hot will it get?
NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center said hot weather will be the story this coming weekend from the Plains to the Ohio Valley, with widespread above-average temperatures expected thanks to a strong upper-level ridge of high pressure (aka heat dome) developing.
Highs in the 90s are expected as far north as the Great Lakes and Minnesota, and 100s for much of Texas, USA TODAY reported.
Heat indices approaching 110 degrees are possible from the mid-South to the central Gulf Coast where the combination of heat and high dew points will be greatest.
Overnight lows will also be quite warm, with some record high minimums possible.
For much of next week, the core of the heat dome is likely to be centered on the Ohio Valley, the middle portion of the Mississippi Valley and the Tennessee Valley, according to AccuWeather. At times, the heat will expand outward and reach parts of the Plains, the Great Lakes, the East and the Gulf Coast.
How will the heat dome impact Tennessee?
According to the National Weather Service Nashville office, “oppressive” heat and humidity will bring triple digit heat indices from Sunday onward.
“Look for our rain chances to abate from Sunday onward, just as the first bonafide heat wave of the season settles in for the long haul,” wrote the weather service in its morning discussion June 26.
“While rain chances next week will be nearly non-existent, temperatures across the bulk of the mid state west of the Cumberland Plateau will top out in the mid to upper 90s every day at least through Friday.”
This will result in heat indices reaching the 100s across most areas, with heat advisory criteria likely to be met on multiple days, added the service.
All of Tennessee is expected to receive major heat, while portions of Middle Tennessee and all of West Tennessee will face extreme heat.
According to the weather service, major heat can affect anyone without proper cooling and hydration, as well as strain health systems and industries, while extreme heat involves rare and or prolonged high temperatures with little to no overnight relief, impacting anyone without adequate cooling or hydration.
How to stay safe during periods of high, dangerous heat
Extreme heat can lead to heat-related illnesses and even death.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heat-related illness occurs when the body is unable to properly cool itself. Older adults, young children and people with chronic medical conditions are at especially high risk.
The CDC reports that more than 700 people die from extreme heat each year in the United States.
The CDC recommends the following during periods of extreme heat:
- Stay in an air-conditioned indoor location as much as you can.
- Drink plenty of fluids even if you don’t feel thirsty.
- Schedule outdoor activities carefully and pace yourself. Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing and sunscreen.
- Take cool showers or baths to cool down.
- Check on a friend or neighbor and have someone do the same for you.
- Never leave children or pets in cars.
- Check the local news for health and safety updates.
Contributing: USA TODAY
Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — New TCAP results are giving parents their first look at how students performed across Southeast Tennessee during the 2025-26 school year.
Among the districts in the Chattanooga area, Dayton City Schools posted the highest proficiency rates in English language arts and social studies, while Rhea County led the region in math.
Here’s how districts in the Tennessee portion of the NewsChannel 9 viewing area performed:
Hamilton County:
- English language arts: 40.3%
- Math: 39.9%
- Social studies: 49.7%
Bradley County:
- English language arts: 45.1%
- Math: 43.5%
- Social studies: 46.7%
Marion County:
- English language arts: 37.9%
- Math: 30.6%
- Social studies: 43.3%
Grundy County:
- English language arts: 32.1%
- Math: 30.7%
- Social studies: 39.4%
Sequatchie County:
- English language arts: 34.1%
- Math: 32.0%
- Social studies: 46.4%
Bledsoe County:
- English language arts: 39.8%
- Math: 34.8%
- Social studies: 49.8%
Rhea County:
- English language arts: 44.0%
- Math: 46.1%
- Social studies: 51.4%
Meigs County:
- English language arts: 37.3%
- Math: 32.2%
- Social studies: 41.0%
McMinn County:
- English language arts: 41.1%
- Math: 39.5%
- Social studies: 50.0%
Polk County:
- English language arts: 35.1%
- Math: 27.2%
- Social studies: 43.0%
Cleveland City Schools:
- English language arts: 33.9%
- Math: 31.3%
- Social studies: 36.0%
Dayton City Schools:
- English language arts: 45.7%
- Math: 45.2%
- Social studies: 63.9%
Richard Hardy Memorial School:
- English language arts: 23.6%
- Math: 25.0%
- Social studies: 21.4%
Etowah City Schools:
- English language arts: 34.0%
- Math: 34.0%
- Social studies: 30.6%
Several local districts finished above the statewide proficiency average.
Bradley County, Rhea County and Dayton City exceeded the state average in both English language arts and math.
Rhea County and Dayton City also outperformed the statewide average in social studies, while McMinn County matched the state average in that subject.
Hamilton County school leaders are expected to present a more detailed look at the district’s TCAP results during Thursday night’s school board meeting.
Depend on us to keep you posted.
WHITE HOUSE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A heavy law enforcement presence was reported Tuesday near the intersection of U.S. Highway 31W and Rolling Meadows Road in White House.
FOX 17 News has a crew headed to the scene and is working to learn more about the situation.
Law enforcement vehicles line a roadway near the intersection of U.S. Highway 31W and Rolling Meadows Road in White House, Tennessee, as authorities respond to an active incident on Tuesday. Officials had not released details about the investigation at the time the photo was taken. (Photo: FOX 17 News )
A viewer told FOX 17 News a man was barricaded inside a home with other people inside. However, FOX 17 News has not independently confirmed those details.
Once at the scene, FOX 17 News learned that a man who was inside the home during the operation had exited the residence. FOX 17 News is working to obtain more information on the incident that is now subsiding.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Tennessee
Former Tennessee teacher who allegedly showed nude photo to student indicted by grand jury
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. (WZTV) — A grand jury has indicted a former Montgomery County high school teacher for allegedly showing an inappropriate photo to a student.
In March, FOX 17 News reported that 52-year-old Matthew Vedder, a teacher at Montgomery Central High School at the time, showed a 17-year-old student a nude photo of himself. Vedder told investigators he accidentally swiped to the photo while showing students photos of a school project. He later resigned from Montgomery Central High School.
Makenzie Ellithorpe, is the Montgomery Central High School student who Matthew Vedder allegedly showed inappropriate photos to. (Photo: FOX 17 News)
MORE | Teacher accused of showing nude photos to student resigns, family pushes for charges
On July 7, the Sumner County District Attorney’s Office presented the results of a law enforcement investigation into Vedder to the Montgomery County Grand Jury, which voted to indict him on four counts of exhibiting obscene material to a minor.
Vedder was taken into custody by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. A Montgomery County judge set his bond at $10,000.
RELATED COVERAGE | Family renews calls for CMCSS director’s resignation during heated school board meeting
Although Vedder resigned, the family of a Montgomery Central High School student called for the resignation of the Director of Schools, Dr. Jean Luna-Vedder, Matthew Vedder’s spouse. The district previously told FOX 17 News that Luna-Vedder removed herself from any disciplinary decisions and the investigation involving her husband.
As of June, Luna-Vedder has not publicly commented on calls for her resignation.
This is an ongoing story. Stick with FOX 17 News as we bring you the latest.
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