SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

January 15 - 21, 2001

WEATHER SUMMARY

The progression of southward diving cold air masses finally changed with temperatures rising to above normal for most of the week. On Friday, south winds ahead of a cold front sent afternoon temperatures into the 70's. Several sites set daily record highs. Strong winds associated with the frontal passing caused damage in Aiken, Lexington, Newberry and Edgefield Counties. McEntire Air National Guard airport recorded a wind gust of 63 mph. Rainfall amounts of around one inch were widespread across the midlands and heavier upstate. Cold air followed Saturday behind brisk northwesterly winds. Sunday ended the week under clearing skies and temperatures falling back into the 50's. Statewide temperatures for the period averaged six degrees above normal.

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

Due to transmission problems both the statewide temperature and precipitation data were unavailable. Statewide average rainfall for the period was 1.1".

                       Precipitation
               Period    2001  Deviation*              Temperature
Location        Total   Total   From Avg.           Maximum      Minimum	
Greer            1.60    2.70       0.0B              65            25
Columbia         0.94    1.78       1.2B              76            26
Florence         0.50    1.40       0.9B              78            30 	        
Charleston       0.25    0.89       1.5B              73            28
N Myrtle Beach   0.25    1.02       1.2B              66            27 
Augusta, Ga.     1.53    2.37       0.3B              78            25
*A=Above, B=Below                                                                                                          
         

Note: Weekly rainfall amounts are for the prior 24-hrs ending 7 am Monday through ending 7 am Sunday.

SOIL

4 inch depth average soil temperature: Columbia 49 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF

South Carolina river stages are below normal.
Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 45 degrees.