KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Story courtesy of WATE) — Matt Hinkin, the beloved former Storm Team 6 Chief Meteorologist who served East Tennessee for more than three decades, has died. He was 62 years old.
“Hey Matt! What’s the weather?” became an ever-present component of 6 News across his 31 years at WATE, and he was a dedicated member of the community who made frequent visits to local schools and countless appearances at events across the region.
In addition to his forecasting skills, Hinkin helped showcase natural wonders to a generation of young people through the popular Saturday morning show “New at the Zoo” alongside co-host Tim Adams. The program even took him across the globe to Africa in its ninth season.
He had been living with Parkinson’s Disease for several years prior to his retirement from 6 News in August 2021. He helped raise awareness and support for people living with the disease through the PJ Parkinson’s Support group. Hinkin was a devout Christian whose kindness and selfless nature will be remembered by all who knew him.
A native of Lawton, Oklahoma, he received a Bachelor of Science at Kansas State University and an Atmospheric Science Degree from the University of Kansas.
Hinkin began his career with KSNF-TV in Joplin, Missouri and KSNT-TV in Topeka, Kansas before joining WATE-TV in 1990. He was a trusted voice for weather forecasts and saw us through the infamous Blizzard of ‘93 alongside 6 News employees who remained at the station for five straight days.
Hinkin and his wife, Deborah, met while working at 6 News, and the two were married for 28 years. She died in a car crash in November 2020.
