SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

July 10 - July 16, 2006

WEATHER SUMMARY

Most inland sites during the workweek observed hot, sunny days. Counties bordering the beaches received widely scattered thundershowers, initiated by the sea breeze. Isolated, convective storms were reported across the south midlands Wednesday and upstate Thursday evening. The state's hottest weather of the season occurred on Saturday with the thermometer climbing over 100 degrees at several sites. A frontal boundary dropped south during the early evening hours Saturday, helping to create strong clusters of thunderstorms. High winds affected Dorchester County and golf-ball sized hail fell within Bamberg County. South Carolina's mid-July, 95 degree heat and need for better rainfall coverage was quite evident Sunday. For the period, the state average temperature was three degrees above normal.

The highest official temperature reported was 102 degrees at Jamestown on July 15. The lowest official temperature reported was 59 degrees at Caesars Head and Cheraw on the morning of July 11. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall reported was 1.97 inches at Loris ending at 7:00 AM on July 16. The average statewide rainfall for the period was 0.3 inches.

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

                           
                                                      
                            Precipitation                    
                       Weekly   Jan 1  Deviation     
                        Total   Total   From Avg
         Greer           0.01   16.42    -12.0
      Columbia           0.37   17.96     -9.1 
    Orangeburg           0.18   18.35     -8.8 
 Charlotte, NC           0.03   17.45     -6.4             	
   Augusta, GA           0.01   20.35     -5.2  
      Florence           0.40   24.39      0.3
  Myrtle Beach           1.27   22.45      0.2
    Charleston           0.23   25.37     -1.3     
  Savannah, GA           0.32   16.43     -9.5








Weekly rainfall totals ending midnight Sunday.  

SOIL: 4-inch depth average soil temperature: Columbia 82 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF: South Carolina river stages were below normal. Ocean water temperatures near Myrtle Beach and Fripp Inlet will average from 83 to 84 degrees.