Mostly sunny, dry weather was observed Monday into Thursday with the years highest temperatures reported Wednesday afternoon. Middle 90-degree heat was reported from central counties and eastward. A couple of small thundershowers developed just inland from the coast Wednesday evening. At the end of the day on Thursday, Columbia's monthly rainfall total of 0.40 inches made May 2007 their driest in 56 years and third driest May of record. Cloudy skies increased on Friday signaling an approaching tropical feature, which at that time was affecting Florida's west coast. On Saturday morning, showers were easing into the Lowcountry as then Tropical Depression Barry, located offshore and near the Georgia-Florida border, began influencing South Carolina's weather. Heavy rains of between three and six inches fell over southern coastal counties during the event. Winds atop the Ben Sawyer Bridge in Charleston County gusted to 60 mph Saturday night. Several watercraft broke their moorings and were damaged in Charleston Harbor. Sites in central South Carolina received a long awaited rainfall soaking of around one inch or more. Lighter amounts fell over the Piedmont and higher elevations. A few scattered, afternoon thundershowers mixed in with clearing skies Sunday. The state average temperature for the period was one degree below normal.
The highest official temperature reported was 96 degrees at Chesterfield on May 30. The lowest official temperature reported was 51 degrees at Cedar Creek on the morning of May 30. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall reported was 6.08 inches at Pritchardville ending at 7:00 a.m. on June 3. The state average rainfall for the period was 1.7 inches.
Precipitation
Weekly Jan 1 Deviation
Total Total From Avg
Greer 0.24 14.41 -8.1
Columbia 1.25 12.17 -7.5
Orangeburg 1.26 15.22 -4.4
Charlotte, NC 0.43 15.70 -3.2
Augusta, GA 3.63 15.14 -4.5
Florence 1.43 15.33 -2.3
N Myrtle Beach 2.17 11.14 -5.3
Charleston 2.56 11.46 -6.7
Savannah, GA 5.21 13.66 -4.3
Weekly rainfall totals ending midnight Sunday.
4-inch depth average soil temperature: Columbia 77 degrees.
South Carolina river stages were below normal. Ocean water temperatures at Springmaid Pier Myrtle Beach were reported at 76 degrees.
For additional information contact tylerw@dnr.sc.gov or by calling (803) 734-9100.
