SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

May 1 - May 7, 2006

WEATHER SUMMARY

Sunny, clear weather was observed Monday with temperatures several degrees below normal. On Tuesday morning, Allendale reported a low temperature of 40 degrees. Warming began during midweek with the mercury climbing into the upper 80's. Strong, convective thunderstorms formed Friday, producing golf ball sized hail, which covered the ground near Buffalo in Union County. Soaking rains fell across the Pee Dee. Most of Saturday was sunny and warm with just a few isolated showers. Severe thunderstorms returned Sunday, supported by a low pressure feature passing east along a frontal boundary. Locations from the southern midlands to the coast reported high winds, hail and excessive rains. A possible tornado was reported in Berkeley County and hailstones of 1.75 inches in diameter fell in Colleton and Allendale counties. Sunday's afternoon temperatures for inland sites were limited to the 60's and low 70's by the cloud cover. For the period, the state average temperature was near normal.

The highest official temperature reported was 92 degrees at Givhans on May 3. The lowest official temperature reported was 38 degrees at Cedar Creek and Cheraw on the morning of May 2. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall reported was 1.78 inches at Florence ending at 7:00 a.m. on May 6. The average statewide rainfall for the period was 1.0 inches.

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

                           
                            Precipitation                    
                       Weekly   Jan 1  Deviation     
                        Total   Total   From Avg
         Greer           0.44   10.38     -8.1
      Columbia           0.66    8.75     -7.9 
    Orangeburg           0.92   11.20     -5.5  
 Charlotte, NC           0.37    8.45     -7.2             	
   Augusta, GA           0.94   12.98     -3.8  
      Florence           3.33   10.34     -4.2
  Myrtle Beach           0.39   11.41     -2.2
    Charleston           1.30   10.97     -3.6     
  Savannah, GA           0.00    9.08     -5.5







Weekly rainfall totals ending midnight Sunday.  

SOIL: 4-inch depth average soil temperature: Columbia 74 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF: South Carolina river stages were near to below normal. Ocean water temperatures near Myrtle Beach and Fripp Inlet will average from 69 to 73 degrees.