SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

July 22 - 28, 2002

WEATHER SUMMARY

During the work week, isolated, convective thunderstorms were observed but were not enough to offset 39 of 46 counties being declared in an extreme drought. A cool front crossed the state on Tuesday reducing afternoon temperatures back into the lower 90's. A few sites received heavy downpours again on Wednesday. High pressure dominated the days following with soaring temps and drying sunshine. By Sunday, near 100 degree temperatures and humid conditions were sending the heat index into the 105-110 degree range. For the period, the state average temperature was two degrees above normal.

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

The highest temperature reported was 104 at USC in downtown Columbia on July 28. The lowest temperature reported was 62 degrees at Caesars Head on the morning of July 25. The heaviest 24-hour rainfall reported was 3.23" at Cowens Ford ending at 7:00 a.m. on July 25. The average statewide rainfall for the period was 0.9"

                      Precipitation
               Period   2002    Deviation*        Temperature
Location        Total  Total     From Avg.     Maximum   Minimum	
Greer            1.39  20.87         9.3B         94        69                       	              	
Columbia         0.00  20.87         8.4B        100        71
Florence         1.82  18.45         7.8B         97        72	        
Charleston       1.13  24.38         4.7B         95        73
N Myrtle Beach   2.06  16.18         8.2B         91        73
Augusta, Ga.     0.01  19.22         7.9B         98        68 
A=Above, B=Below                                                                                                                                             
                                   

Note: Weekly rainfall amounts are for the 24-hour period ending midnight Sunday.

SOIL

4 inch depth average soil temperature: Columbia 88 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF

South Carolina river stages are well below normal.
Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 85 degrees.