Clearing skies started late on Monday and continued through Wednesday. Mild afternoon temperatures in the upper 70's were reported with drying sunshine. South Carolina's weather took a turn for the worse on Thursday with violent thunderstorms ahead of an active front. Baseball size hail, flooding rains and numerous tornadoes swept through western counties. Edgefield County was hard hit with destruction to homes, churches and vehicles. Showers lingered into Friday but were quickly followed by a sunny, warm and windy afternoon. Saturday's weather was mostly sunny with temperatures peaking in the 80's. Another round of severe weather developed Sunday afternoon across southern counties. Golf ball size hail fell in Orangeburg County and Summerville reported a tornado that dismantled several homes. The week ended with showers or drizzle falling over most reporting sites. Temperatures for the period averaged one degree above normal.
PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA
The maximum observed temperature was 90 degrees on May 8 at Charleston City. The minimum observed temperature was 35 degrees at Hunts Bridge on the morning of May 5. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall was recorded at Springfield with 5.91" ending at 7:00 a.m. on May 8. Statewide rainfall for the period averaged 1.9 inches.
Precipitation
Period 1998 Deviation* Temperature
Location Total Total From Avg. Maximum Minimum
Greer 1.04 28.6 9.5A 79 47
Charlotte, NC 0.79 19.9 4.1A 83 51
Columbia 1.45 25.2 7.5A 84 51
Florence FAA 1.06 24.3 9.6A 87 51
Blackville NA NA NA NA NA
Augusta, GA 1.43 29.1 11.7A 86 51
Beaufort 0.78 29.1 13.9A 87 59
Charleston AP 3.30 31.7 16.9A 86 56
Myrtle Beach 1.30 31.6 15.2A 86 55
*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
May 1-10
Cooling Heating
Columbia 39 1
Charleston 62 0
Greenville 9 15
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 70 degrees.
RIVERS AND SURF
Rivers are above normal. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 69 degrees.