Mid 70-degree temperatures were common on Monday. Isolated showers with amounts generally less than one-tenth of an inch dotted the state. On Tuesday afternoon, short-duration intense rain fell over Ridgeland with reports of localized flooding. Allendale measured 0.70 inches and Barnwell measured 0.63 inches. The mercury climbed into the 80's on Wednesday. Orangeburg and Bamberg warmed to 85 degrees and Walhalla and Clemson reached 83 degrees. The state's warmest day since October 17, 2011 was observed on Thursday. The Columbia Metro AP tied a date record of 88 degrees. Clarks Hill and Givhans reported 87 degrees. Thunderstorms formed following the afternoon heating on Friday. One-inch hail fell over parts of Orangeburg, Berkeley, Colleton and Dorchester counties. Walterboro reported a 24-hour rainfall of 0.89 inches. McCormick received 0.78 inches. Saturday Afternoon storms produced one-inch diameter hail within Barnwell County and a one-inch rain in the city of Barnwell. The Charleston AP high temperature climbed to 86 degrees. The stretch of 80-degree warming accelerated the flowering of native plant varieties for much of the state. Most of the showers on Sunday focused over the Pee Dee and coastal plain. Dillon measured a total of 0.90 inches and Conway measured 0.80 inches. Sunday's high temperatures eased back into the upper 70's due to increased cloudiness but the Sandhill site recorded 83 degrees, thus making five consecutive days of 80-degrees or higher. The state average temperature for the seven-day period was thirteen degrees above normal.
The highest official temperature reported was 88 degrees at the Columbia Metro AP on March 15. The lowest official temperature reported was 45 degrees at Table Rock on March 15. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall reported was 1.25 inches at the Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station on March 18. The state average rainfall for the period was 0.3 inches.
PRECIPITATION:
Precipitation
Weekly Jan 1 Departure
Total Total from Avg
Greer AP 0.26 7.51 -3.0
Anderson AP 0.10 7.45 -2.8
Columbia Metro AP 0.13 5.17 -4.3
Orangeburg AP 0.07 5.87 -4.1
Charlotte, NC AP 0.99 6.55 -2.6
Augusta, GA Bush AP 0.15 3.66 -6.5
Florence AP 0.11 5.93 -2.2
N Myrtle Beach AP 0.13 6.00 -3.4
Charleston AP 0.46 7.34 -1.5
Savannah, GA AP 0.10 7.47 -1.2
Weekly rainfall totals ending midnight Sunday.
SOIL:
4-inch depth soil temperature: Columbia 66 degrees, Charleston 66 degrees.
RIVERS AND SURF:
South Carolina river stages were below normal. Ocean water temperatures at Springmaid Pier Myrtle Beach were missing due to sensor failure. Nearby Johnny Mercer Pier at Wrightsville Beach, NC reported 63 degrees.
