The Tennessee Valley Authority has had its two highest days of electricity demand in nine years, since 2012, on Wednesday and Thursday.
Thursday’s preliminary peak power demand was 30,340 megawatts at 6 p.m. Eastern time at a regional average temperature of 92 degree Fahrenheit, TVA said.
Wednesday and Thursday were the highest peak demands since July 26, 2012, TVA said.
The public utility said it plans for situations like this heat wave and tries to provide constant power.
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Another heat wave is expected to build in the region this week, forecasters said.
Scattered showers and storms were expected early this week, and the heat wave is forecast to build into the Tennessee Valley and southern Appalachians by mid-week, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown.
Above-normal temperatures can be expected from Wednesday to Friday, with temperatures climbing into the middle 90s or possibly upper 90s across parts of the Tennessee Valley, the NWS said.
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High temperatures are expected across the Tennessee Valley and the southern Appalachian Mountains as a heat wave expands across much of the country, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown. With humidity, heat indices in the region could exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
The heat wave is forecast for the rest of July and into early August.
“Above-normal temperatures are likely over the Tennessee Valley and southern Appalachians,” the NWS said. “Temperatures will climb into the middle and upper 90s across parts of the Tennessee Valley for the end of July and early August along with muggy conditions.”
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Editor’s Note: A heat wave is expected to affect our area this week. This blog post by Amy Pope, White House deputy homeland security advisor, contains information and resources that you may find useful in staying safe during the extreme heat.
By Amy Pope
As a heat wave spreads across the country this week, the federal government is working overtime to help state, regional, tribal, and local communities prepare for potential extreme-heat events.
Extreme heat affects everybody—our family, friends, and neighbors. Our nation’s most vulnerable include the elderly, children, emergency responders, outdoor workers, low-income households, athletes, and even our pets. In extreme heat conditions, simple daily activities like walking a dog (in my case, it’s our golden doodle Coco!), going for a jog, or spending time outside with the kids can be dangerous.
That’s why we’re taking the threat of extreme heat so seriously. We know if we are prepared to respond to extreme heat, we can dramatically reduce the risks to ourselves and our loved ones. The majority of heat-related deaths and illnesses are preventable. We can make our communities more prepared, recognize the early warning signs of heat stroke or exhaustion, and spread the word about practical solutions and resources that are available in the face of these severe conditions. [Read more…]
A dangerous heat wave with record high temperatures is expected in East Tennessee through Monday. (Illustration courtesy of the National Weather Service in Morristown.)
A dangerous heat wave is expected to affect the Southern Appalachia region through early next week, with record high temperatures at or above 100-year marks, and oppressive heat indices up to 105 degrees, the National Weather Service said.
The temperature in Oak Ridge at about 5 p.m. Saturday was 104, and a heat advisory remains in effect through 9 p.m. Sunday in Anderson County.
Temperatures could continue to be close to 100 on Sunday and Monday, before dropping to 94 on Tuesday, according to a forecast by the National Weather Service in Morristown.
A strong high-pressure system and mostly dry conditions have led to record temperatures and dangerous heat, the Weather Service said.
Heat index values—a measure of how it actually feels—will be slightly higher than actual high temperatures. Afternoon heat index values could be as high as 107 in East Tennessee.
“Please consider reducing or eliminating strenuous outdoor activities during the heat of the day (late morning through the early evening) and remember to drink plenty of water,” the Weather Service said.
Heat is the No. 1 weather-related killer.
Weather officials said heat illnesses are possible, and people should take extra precautions if they work or spend time outside. Those precautions include rescheduling strenuous activities to early morning or evening, and knowing the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and stroke.
The Weather Service also advised wearing lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible.
Those working outside should schedule frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded place, and 911 should be called if someone has a heat stroke, the Weather Service said.
Cable news television station CNN reported that the heat wave affected 100 million people across the country, and more than 1,000 temperature records have been broken this week.
