SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

August 9 - 15, 2004

WEATHER SUMMARY

Pleasantly cool weather continued across the state through Wednesday. Daytime high temperatures were in the mid-80's while morning low's were in the 50's and 60's. On Thursday, the outermost bands from Tropical Storm Bonnie, located near the Florida Panhandle, brought thundershowers into the state. The decaying circulation passed on Friday with heavy rains, isolated tornado touchdowns and localized flooding. The interest then shifted to Hurricane Charley which was tracking northeast from the Gulf of Mexico into the Ft. Meyers, Florida, vicinity. After crossing Florida, Hurricane Charley raced north before coming ashore mid-day Saturday near Bulls Bay, just south of Georgetown. Wind driven rain of between three to six inches caused urban flooding from Charleston into Myrtle Beach. Near hurricane force gusts downed trees, disrupted utilities, and caused structural damage to property along coastal sites. After a brief evening of clearing skies, more clouds and rain showers returned. Western counties reported partly sunny conditions on Sunday, while eastern sections remained wet with light rain and drizzle. For the period, the state average temperature was five degrees below normal.

The highest official temperature reported was unavailable. The lowest official temperature reported was 51 degrees at Johnston on the morning of August 9. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall reported was 6.80" at Springfield ending at 7:00 a.m. on August 15. The average statewide rainfall for the period was 2.6”.

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

                            Precipitation                    
                       Weekly   Jan 1  Deviation     
                        Total   Total   From Avg
         Greer           1.97    24.6       -8.0
      Columbia           4.00    29.9       -2.6          
    Orangeburg           0.90    28.8       -2.6
 Charlotte, NC           4.33    29.6       +2.1
   Augusta, GA           3.47    28.4       -1.3 
      Florence           1.37    22.1       -7.4           
  Myrtle Beach           6.92    31.1       +3.5 
    Charleston           3.86    24.9       -8.1           
  Savannah, GA  	       1.97    25.2       -7.3

 Weekly rainfall totals ending midnight Sunday.            
    
      

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 78 degrees.