SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

March 30-April 5, 1998


WEATHER SUMMARY

Warm, sunny weather began the week. Afternoon temperatures in the mid 80' s helped flowering plants respond with increasing color. A few light showers were observed on Wednesday. Springtime warmth continued on Thursday under bright blue skies. An approaching cold front on Friday created conditions that resulted in heavy rains and severe thunderstorms. There were many reports of hail, high winds and brief tornado touchdowns. Cloudiness lingered into late in the day on Saturday. Sunday morning got off to a cold start with low temperatures in the low 30's and 40's. Statewide temperatures for the week averaged 5 degrees above normal.

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

The maximum observed temperature was 87 degrees on March 30 at Williams. The minimum observed temperature was 26 degrees at Hunts Bridge on the morning of April 5. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall was recorded at Calhoun Falls with 2.80" ending at 7:00 a.m. on April 4. Statewide rainfall for the period averaged 1.9 inches.

               Precipitation
               Period     1998         Deviation*        Temperature
Location       Total      Total        From Avg.       Maximum Minimum   
Greer          1.75       19.6         5.0A              83        39
Charlotte, NC  1.69       14.3         1.8A              85        39
Columbia       1.65       19.1         5.1A              84        44    
Florence FAA   1.43       18.6         7.2A              84        45   
Blackville     2.10       20.7         7.3A              84        43 
Augusta, GA    3.13       23.1         9.5A              83        40
Beaufort       1.28       24.2         12.6A             84        51 
Charleston     1.83       25.1         13.5A             83        44
Myrtle Beach   1.70       24.9         12.2A             73        46
*A=Above, B=Below                                                                       
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  
               April 1-5   
                Cooling   Heating             
Columbia           4        22
Charleston        20        10 
Greenville         3        33    
                                                                                
Temperatures are expected to average near to above normal for the week. Rainfall is expected to be near normal.
The Sandhill Research and Education Center in north Columbia reports an average 4-inch depth soil temperature of 63 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF

Rivers are near to above normal.
Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 60 degrees.


sco@water.dnr.state.sc.us
http://water.dnr.state.sc.us/climate/sco/weekly/wk040698.html