Weather warning day: Dangerous heat moves into the region over the 4th of July holiday and lasts until Friday

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Highs between 95 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit will feel more like highs Thursday and Friday afternoon. That heat and humidity can combine to create dangerous conditions, and those conditions can be especially dangerous as people head outside to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Below you will find some brief information about the weather conditions.

On Thursday, conditions will be particularly dangerous between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. People need to drink plenty of water and take plenty of breaks if they plan to go outside. They should also have a plan for how to cool down.

It is expected to be partly cloudy, hot and humid, with a slight chance of isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening, especially at higher elevations. Highs will be around 35 degrees Celsius, with a feel of around 38 degrees Celsius. Lows will be around 24 degrees Celsius on Thursday evening.

Such temperatures can cause heat-related illnesses. Signs of heat stroke include headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion and a rapid, strong pulse. Anyone experiencing these symptoms while out and about should immediately find a place to cool down and drink some water. If the symptoms are severe enough, they should also call for help.

If your pulse becomes weak but rapid, if you vomit, or if you experience muscle cramps, you should try to cool down. These are signs of heat exhaustion.

A few showers and gusty winds are also possible on Independence Day, with rain chances expected to increase on Friday. Anyone outdoors should be aware of changing weather conditions. If dark clouds are approaching or thunder is heard, it’s best to go indoors.