Tennessee communities could see ‘ring of fire’ storms as heat dome continues to broil part of U.S.

From the Midwest to the East Coast, Americans are feeling the heat, but some will soon see a round of thunderstorms known as the “ring of fire.”

The Southeast and the mid-Mississippi Valley can expect a “ring of fire” cell of thunderstorms at the leading edge of a massive heat dome that has enveloped a portion of the nation over the last few days, according to the Storm Prediction Center.

Some communities in Tennessee are right on the edge of the heat dome, and could potentially see severe thunderstorms with damaging winds, but others will just continue to see the oppressive heat.

Here’s a look at where in Tennessee should expect the “ring of fire” storms and just how long this heat wave could last.

What is a ‘ring of fire’?

It’s not the Johnny Cash song you may be thinking of, but this “ring of fire” is a weather phenomenon that occurs when a heat dome forms and thunderstorms form along the edge of it.

The “ring of fire” occurs when thunderstorms and rain form along the border of a ridge of high pressure, according to the National Weather Service. That ridge allows for a heat dome to form, and while the weather (although unbearably hot) stays relatively stable inside the dome, on the edge, thunderstorms can pop up in clusters. There, the air is cooler up in the atmosphere, allowing storm-producing clouds to form, according to AccuWeather.

Where could ring of fire storms hit in Tennessee?

According to the National Weather Service, East Tennessee has the highest likelihood of seeing storms related to the ring of fire.

The Storm Prediction Center’s latest forecast shows thunderstorms packing dangerous wind gusts expected across parts of North and South Carolina and the Southeast starting on June 25. Knoxville and communities in East Tennessee along the North Carolina border are predicted to start seeing storms form after 2 p.m. ET. Storms are expected to continue through the weekend.

While the eastern part of the state could see the brunt of storms, Middle and West Tennessee could see some storms heading into the weekend.

What is a ‘heat dome’?

A heat dome isn’t technically a scientific term and is a fairly new term that has gained popularity in recent years. It is a condition that occurs when a persistent region of high pressure traps heat over a certain area for a period of time, according to the American Meteorological Society.

What is a heat wave?

A heat wave is a period of abnormally hot weather generally lasting more than two days, according to the National Weather Service.

Tips to keep pets cool in a heat wave

It’s not just humans that need to keep cool during the oppressive heat that has settled. Check out the video below for tips on keeping your furry friends safe and cool during this heat wave.

Are we under a heat advisory?

The National Weather Service will issue a heat advisory usually happens when extremely dangerous heat is about to hit and is one of several types of health alerts issued by the federal agency. A heat advisory is issued within 12 hours of the onset of these conditions.

Here are the heat advisories issued from the National Weather Service for Tennessee:

• East Tennessee is under a heat advisory for June 25 until 7 p.m. local time.

• Middle Tennessee is under a heat advisory through June 27 at 7 p.m. local time.

• West Tennessee is under a heat advisory through June 27 at 9 p.m. local time.

How hot is it? Check out the Tennessee heat index map

What was the hottest day in Tennessee?

According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the two hottest days on record for Tennessee occurred less than two weeks apart in 1930. Perryville, Tennessee, hit a high of 113 degrees on July 29, 1930, and August 9, 1930.

When will this heat wave end?

The National Weather Service indicates that Tennesseans could start seeing some cooler temperatures starting next week as temperatures begin to drop to the low 90s and high 80s.

USA TODAY contributed to this report.

(This story was updated to add a photo gallery.)

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Heat dome brings ‘ring of fire’ storms to Tennessee. What to know