January 15 high temperature date records were set at Myrtle Beach with 75 degrees and Charleston with 79 degrees. A cold front entered the state on Tuesday. Wednesday morning temperatures fell below freezing across the Upstate. From Thursday into the weekend, a west to east axis of clouds and precipitation lingered over South Carolina. Light freezing rain coated elevated surfaces on Thursday morning at sites inland, excluding the southern counties. Afternoon high temperatures on Thursday were a chilling 38-42 degrees. Rainfall amounts of one-half inch were common. Breaks in the overcast conditions allowed for periods of drying sunshine Friday and Saturday before a full day of cloudy skies and intermittent, cold rains returned on Sunday. For the period, the state average temperature was three degrees above normal.
The highest official temperature reported was 80 degrees at Summerville, Givhans, and Jamestown on January 15. The lowest official temperature reported was 20 degrees at Caesars Head on the morning of January 17. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall reported was 1.00 inches at Greer NWS on January 21. The average statewide rainfall for the period was 0.7 inches.
Precipitation
Weekly Jan 1 Deviation
Total Total From Avg
Greer 1.14 4.65 1.7
Columbia 0.90 2.33 -0.8
Orangeburg 1.02 2.51 -0.6
Charlotte, NC 0.84 3.35 0.7
Augusta, GA 0.76 1.96 -1.0
Florence 0.88 1.53 -1.3
Myrtle Beach 0.62 1.94 -0.5
Charleston 0.86 2.34 -0.5
Savannah, GA 0.59 1.83 -0.9
Weekly rainfall totals ending midnight Sunday.
4-inch depth average soil temperature: Columbia 53 degrees.
South Carolina river stages were near to above normal. Ocean water temperatures at Springmaid Pier Myrtle Beach were reported at 53 degrees.
For additional information contact tylerw@dnr.sc.gov or by calling (803) 734-9100.
