SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

A brief return to winter started the week. With cloudy skies, daytime temperatures on Monday only reached into the 40's. Late on Monday night snow flurries began across upstate counties. Just before sunrise on Tuesday snow showers were observed over the midlands. Although amounts were limited in the one to two inch range, the snowfall caused numerous vehicle accidents and delays. Snow flurries were reported as far east and south as Charleston. Rapid melting by mid-afternoon had removed all but a few traces of snow left in the shadows. Clearing conditions and moderating warmth followed into the weekend. On Saturday temperatures climbed into the 70's. Sunday saw a dramatic change as a cold front raced through the state. Scattered thunderstorms produced hail in Greenville, Spartanburg and York counties and near Kingstree. Strong westerly winds, gusting as high as 45 mph, contributed to several incidents of wildfire. The period ended under clear, windy weather. Statewide temperatures for the period averaged five degrees below normal.

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

The maximum observed temperature was 76 degrees on February 27 at Allendale, Beaufort and Williams. The minimum observed temperature was 15 degrees at Cedar Creek on the morning of February 22. The heaviest 24-hour rainfall was 0.57 inches at Salem on February 28. Statewide rainfall for the period averaged 0.1 inches.

                 Precipitation
                Period     1999     Deviation*       Temperature
Location        Total      Total    From Avg.     Maximum    Minimum   
Greer           0.07       6.7        1.8B          63         23 
Charlotte, NC   0.03       6.2        1.4B          68         22 
Columbia        0.07       6.3        2.3B          72         24    
Florence FAA    0.05       9.3        2.6A          73         24 
Blackville      0.00       7.6        0.8B          74         22
Augusta, GA     0.02       8.1        0.2B          71         24 
Beaufort        0.03       5.6        1.4B          76         31 
Charleston AP   0.12       7.0        0.2A          73         26
Myrtle Beach    0.00       7.0        1.0B          62         28

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  
               February 1-28
             Cooling   Heating             
Columbia     0         416
Charleston   1         315
Greenville   0         487

RIVERS AND SURF

Rivers are near normal. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 53 degrees.