WEEKLY SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER 2008

March 17, 2008 - March 23, 2008

WEATHER SUMMARY:

Increasing clouds were observed early in the work week over seasonal temperatures. Strong southerly winds were reported on Wednesday ahead of an approaching boundary of colder air. At 3:00 p.m. Charleston AP measured south winds at 37 mph gusting to 44 mph. Eastward moving thundershowers produced pockets of heavy rains upstate and amounts averaging around one-half inch from the Midlands towards the north coast. A dry and much cooler airmass settled over the state on Thursday, the first day of spring 2008. At 6:00 p.m. Columbia AP recorded relative humidity at 12 percent. Scattered frost and near freezing temperatures occurred Friday morning over much of inland South Carolina. Light winds and a full day of sunshine allowed afternoon temperatures on Saturday to warm into the upper 70's. The week's second visit of cold air entered the state before sunrise on Easter Sunday. Most locations on Sunday reported maximum temperatures in the 60's. The state average temperature for the period was two degrees above normal.

The highest official temperature reported was 82 degrees at Orangeburg on March 19 and Jamestown on March 22. The lowest official temperature reported was 28 degrees at Lake Bowen on March 17 and at Cheraw and Cedar Creek on March 21. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall reported was 1.48 inches at Jocassee Dam ending at 7:00 a.m. on March 20. The state average rainfall for the period was 0.5 inches.

PRECIPITATION:

                            
                                                                                                                        Precipitation                    
                       Weekly   Jan 1  Deviation     
                        Total   Total   from Avg
         Greer           0.71   10.05     -2.7 
      Columbia           0.47    9.83     -2.2
    Orangeburg           0.67    9.09     -2.9
 Charlotte, NC           0.72    9.09     -1.8           	
   Augusta, GA           0.54   10.69     -1.5
      Florence           0.27    9.04     -1.1
N Myrtle Beach           0.32    9.53     -0.6
    Charleston           0.60    8.17     -2.0    
  Savannah, GA           0.34    8.84     -0.7





Weekly rainfall totals ending midnight Sunday.  

SOIL:

4-inch depth average soil temperature: Columbia 61 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF:

South Carolina river stages were near to below normal. Ocean water temperatures at Springmaid Pier Myrtle Beach were reported at 63 degrees.


For additional information contact tylerw@dnr.sc.gov or by calling (803) 734-9100.