SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

Januuary 16 - January 22, 2006

WEATHER SUMMARY

Columbia reported winds gusting to 46 mph Tuesday ahead of a frontal boundary. Scattered thundershowers exited Wednesday morning followed by another round of 40 mph wind gusts and cooler temperatures. Thursday started with widespread frost as high pressure drifted near Beaufort with a reading of 30.49 inches at 10:00 a.m. A quick return to more southerly surface winds forced unseasonable warming on Saturday with temperatures peaking in the mid-70's. On Sunday, a weak wedge of cold air eased into the state from the north bringing periods of drizzle and light showers. Northeast winds and cloudy skies limited afternoon high temperatures to the lower 50's. For the period, the state average temperature was five degrees above normal.

The highest official temperature reported was 77 degrees at Jamestown, Pritchardville, and Beaufort on January 21. The lowest official temperature reported was 23 degrees at Cheraw and Caesars Head on the morning of January 19. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall reported was 1.60 inches at Caesars Head ending at 7:00 a.m. on January 18. The average statewide rainfall for the period was 0.5 inches.

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

                     Precipitation                    
                       Weekly   Jan 1  Deviation     
                        Total   Total   From Avg
         Greer           0.80    3.17      0.1
      Columbia           0.85    2.29     -1.0 
    Orangeburg           0.48    2.44     -0.8  
 Charlotte, NC           0.83    2.67     -0.2             	
   Augusta, GA           0.74    2.69     -0.5  
      Florence           0.54    1.77     -1.2
  Myrtle Beach           0.24    1.71     -0.9
    Charleston           0.24    1.99     -1.0     
  Savannah, GA  	 0.14    1.63     -1.2                 

                         
                            






Weekly rainfall totals ending midnight Sunday.  

SOIL: 4-inch depth average soil temperature: Columbia 53 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF: South Carolina river stages were near normal. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 52 degrees.