SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

May 17 - 23, 2004

WEATHER SUMMARY

After a cool start on Monday morning with several sites reporting 50's and lower 60's, a general Summer like warming trend began. Daily thunderstorms were common but coverage was limited. More widespread activity was observed over the weekend with temperatures climbing into the 90's and late afternoon convection triggering storms. On both Saturday afternoon and Sunday, lines of thunderstorms produced isolated heavy rainfalls, accompanied by frequent lightning. Wind damage was reported Saturday across the central Midlands. More intense weather occurred Sunday with one inch hail in Calhoun County and a mix of large hail and high winds being observed eastward from the south Piedmont to just inland from the coast. Felled tree limbs resulted in temporary power disruptions. For the period, the state's average temperature was five degrees above normal.

The highest official temperature reported was 96 degrees at Darlington and Chesterfield on May 21. The lowest official temperature was 57 degrees at Caesars Head on the morning of May 17. The heaviest 24 hour rainfall reported was 1.68" at Table Rock ending at 7:00 a.m. on May 17. The average statewide rainfall for the period was 0.3”

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

                           Precipitation                     Temperature
                       Weekly   Jan 1  Deviation      Average  Average
                        Total   Total   From Avg      Maximum  Minimum  Average
         Greer           0.70    11.5       -9.4         87       65       76
      Columbia           1.57    12.1       -6.2         89       68       79
   Augusta, GA           0.65    12.2       -6.1         91       65       78
        Cheraw*          0.11     8.9       -9.1         91       65       78
       Chester*          0.21    10.0       -9.1         89       61       75
      Johnston*          0.34     9.7      -10.4         90       60       75
        Sumter*          0.00    10.6       -7.6         88       65       77
       Clemson*          0.15    10.2      -13.2         85       64       75
      Florence           0.00     9.8       -6.5         89       67       78    
  Myrtle Beach           0.01    12.7       -2.5         82       68       75   
     Allendale*          0.00    13.5       -4.4         87       64       76 
    Charleston           0.00    13.3       -3.1         87       66       76 
      Beaufort*          0.03    10.1       -6.0         86       70       78

* Rainfall totals ending Sunday 7:00 a.m.  All others ending midnight.

 

SOIL

4 inch depth average soil temperature: Columbia 79 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF

South Carolina river stages were below normal. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach
and Savannah will average around 76 degrees.