Longtime Knoxville meteorologist Matt Hinkin has died. He is 62 years old.
WATE announced that Synkin died on March 16 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Hinkin is a beloved former news personality who has made daily WATE predictions for over three decades. He worked at WATE from 1990 until his retirement in 2021.
During his time at the news station, Hinkin covered historic weather events such as the Blizzard of ’93 and the deadly Wartburg F3 tornado in 2002. Henkin reports on record heat, flooding, snowfall and everything in between.
Synkin won honors such as the 2000 Knoxville News Sentinel’s Best of Knoxville contest, when he was voted “Best Meteorologist,” according to Knox News archives. Todd Howell was second and Margie Ison was third, both creating lasting legacies in broadcasting.
Xingin is famous for more than just its weather forecasts. The former meteorologist is active in schools and outreach programs in the Knoxville community and is a long-time member of the Emerald Youth Foundation advisory board.
After Synkin’s death, the Knoxville community recalled him as a devout Christian and a kind, neighborly man. Former colleagues, friends and those touched by Synkin’s impact took to social media to share condolences and memories of the popular former newsmaker.
“RIP to our dear friend and former colleague Matt Hinkin,” WATE anchor Tearsa Smith posted on Instagram. “Thank you for your many years of service to this community and our station. We will miss you.”
Current WATE meteorologist Ken Weathers posted on Facebook on March 17: “As we work to keep East Tennessee safe, we spend almost as much time together as we do with our families. He taught me that work ethic. He also taught me that people are not just our audience, but our community…our friends…our family. We are a part of their lives, too.”
Synkin was preceded in death by his wife, Deborah, who died in a fatal car accident in November 2020 at the age of 52. The couple has been married for 28 years.
Allison Kiehl covers top stories and breaking news in Knoxville for the Tennessee Connect team. Email: allison.kiehl@knoxnews.com
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This article originally appeared in the Knoxville News-Sentinel: Longtime Knoxville WATE meteorologist Matt Hinkin dies at 62
