SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

     Strong northwesterly to northerly winds gusting over 40 mph started the
week.  An increase in wildfire activity was noted by forestry officials and
a statewide Red Flag Alert was issued.  High pressure under sunny skies
settled across the state with below normal temperatures.  On Wednesday
morning, April 2, sub-freezing or near freezing minimum temperatures were
reported over western counties and other usual colder locations.  A slow
warming trend began on Thursday as surface winds shifted more from a
southerly direction.  By Friday afternoon temperatures had climbed back into
the 80's.  Saturday was a mostly sunny and warm day. A weak trailing front
entered the state with showers and brief thunderstorms on Sunday. Rainfall
amounts were considered light and much of South Carolina continues to report
below normal rains since January 1.  Statewide temperatures for the period
averaged near normal.

     The maximum observed temperature was 87 degrees on April 6 at Williams.
The minimum observed temperature was 27 degrees at Cedar Creek on the morning
of April 2.  The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall was recorded at Williams
with 0.18" ending at 7:00 a.m. on March 31. Statewide rainfall for the period
averaged 0.1".

                  Precipitation
                Period     1997    Deviation*       Temperature
Location        Total      Total    From Avg.     Maximum      Minimum   
Greer           0.38       13.9       0.8B           79          34
Charlotte, NC   0.06       10.6       2.0B           81          NA
Columbia        0.13       10.4       3.7B           83          32                     
Florence FAA    0.17       9.4        2.1B           84          NA   
Blackville      0.00       10.8       2.6B           83          36
Augusta, GA     0.16       10.9       2.8B           83          32   
Beaufort        0.00       8.8        2.9B           81          42 
Charleston      0.00       7.4        4.4B           83          39
Myrtle Beach    0.04       10.5       2.3B           78          40
*A=Above, B=Below                                                                       

                             Degree Days          
                               Actual  
                             April 1-6 
                    Cooling           Heating              
Columbia              5                33 
Charleston            9                26
Greenville            2                38
                                                                                            
     Temperatures are expected to average near normal for the week.
Rainfall is expected to be near normal. The Sandhill Experiment Station in
north Columbia reports an average 4-inch depth soil temperature of 70 degrees.

    River stages are near normal. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and
Savannah will average around 66 degrees.