High pressure continued to provide sunny, warm conditions although air quality was considered poor. On Both Wednesday and Thursday afternoons temperatures climbed into the mid 90's. Moderate humidity values created heat index readings above 100 degrees. Most of South Carolina has not had measurable rain in over two weeks. A weak boundary of slightly cooler and drier air divided the state from west to east over the weekend. Northern areas reported a few isolated showers and high temperatures in the upper 70's to low 80's. Southern sites remained hot and humid. Temperatures for the period averaged seven degrees above normal.
PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA
The maximum observed temperature was 97 degrees on May 21 at Williams and Orangeburg. The minimum observed temperature was 50 degrees at Cedar Creek on the morning of May 19. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall was recorded at Chester with 0.05" ending at 7:00 a.m. on May 22. Statewide rainfall for the period averaged 0.0 inches.
Precipitation
Period 1998 Deviation* Temperature
Location Total Total From Avg. Maximum Minimum
Greer 0.03 28.7 7.5A 92 60
Charlotte, NC 0.00 20.0 2.4A 92 64
Columbia 0.00 25.2 5.9A 94 59
Florence FAA 0.00 24.7 8.4A 95 61
Blackville NA NA NA NA NA
Augusta, GA 0.00 29.1 10.0A 94 59
Beaufort 0.00 29.6 12.6A 92 68
Charleston AP 0.00 31.7 15.2A 93 63
Myrtle Beach 0.00 31.8 13.4A 93 63
*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 1-24
Cooling Heating
Columbia 205 1
Charleston 211 0
Greenville 132 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 79 degrees.
RIVERS AND SURF
Rivers are near to below normal. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 75 degrees.