SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

January 25-31, 1999


WEATHER SUMMARY

Sunny, spring-like weather was observed from Monday through Friday. Daily afternoon high temperatures ranged in the 70's to near 80. Late on Friday, rainshowers began across western counties. On Saturday, much colder air dropped southward on north to northeast winds. By Sunday, surface temperatures across upstate and high elevation counties were at or below freezing, changing rain to periods of sleet and snow. There were reports of sleet into the midlands. For most sites, a cold, blowing rain ended the week. Statewide temperatures for the week averaged eight degrees above normal.

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

The maximum observed temperature was 80 degrees on January 28 at Orangeburg. The minimum observed temperature was 27 degrees at Cedar Creek on the morning of January 27. The heaviest 24-hour rainfall was 0.95 inches at Loris ending 7:00 a.m. on January 25. Statewide rainfall for the period averaged 0.3 inches.

               	 Precipitation
           	Period     1999    Deviation*       Temperature
Location   	Total      Total   From Avg.     Maximum   Minimum   
Greer           0.44       3.8       0.3B          76        31 
Charlotte, NC   0.04       3.9       0.2A          76        31 
Columbia        0.04       3.9       0.5B          79        36    
Florence FAA    0.01       7.0       3.5A          79        38 
Blackville      0.22       5.4       2.2A          79        33
Augusta, GA     0.43       5.6       1.5A          78        34
Beaufort        0.00       3.4       0.3B          78        46 
Charleston AP   0.29       5.0       1.5A          78        42
Myrtle Beach    0.60       5.3       1.2A          70        41
*A=Above, B=Below, E=Estimate

Note: Weekly rainfall amounts are for the prior 24-hrs ending 7:00 a.m. Monday through ending 7:00 a.m. Sunday

ENERGY DEMAND AND AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY

            Degree Days      
               Actual  
           January  1-31
          Cooling   Heating             
Columbia     2        486
Charleston  10        358
Greenville   0        597
Temperatures are expected to average near normal for the week. Rainfall is expected to be near normal.
The National Weather Service located at Columbia Metropolitan Airport reports an average 4-inch depth soil temperature of 55 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF

Rivers are above normal.
Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 54 degrees.


sco@water.dnr.state.sc.us
http://water.dnr.state.sc.us/climate/sco/weekly/wk020199.html