SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

     Hot, dry weather continued through most of the work week.  Afternoon
high temperatures reached into the mid and upper 90's with heat index
values exceeding 105 degrees.  Daily open pan evaporation rates averaged
nearly 0.3 inches.  A welcomed change occurred on Thursday as the mid
summer-like air mass was replaced by much cooler weather.  Prior to the
cold front's arrival, isolated thunderstorms were reported.  Southern
coastal sites received the most rainfall while the remainder of the state
saw little relief from the drying soils.  Low temperatures over the weekend
dropped into the upper 40's in the state's higher elevations to the mid
60's across eastern sections.  Both Saturday and Sunday's weather was a mix
of fair weather clouds against blue, sunny skies.  Statewide temperatures
for the period averaged near normal.

     The maximum observed temperature was 99 degrees on August 18 at Cheraw
and Jamestown.  The minimum observed temperature was 47 degrees at
Huntsbridge on the morning of the 23rd.  The heaviest official 24-hour
rainfall was recorded at Beaufort with 2.02" ending at 7:00 a.m. on August
20.  Statewide rainfall for the period averaged 0.2 inches.

                  Precipitation
                 Period     1997         Deviation*         Temperature
Location         Total      Total         From Avg.       Maximum  Minimum   
Greer             0.00       33.8           0.8B             91       58
Charlotte, NC     0.00       33.2           4.5A             92       58
Columbia          0.04       29.4           6.6B             97       56            
Florence FAA      0.06       32.7           1.7A             96       57   
Blackville        1.35       32.8           1.3B             98       57
Augusta, GA       1.44       27.2           4.8B             97       56
Beaufort          2.91       33.8           2.7B             94       69 
Charleston        0.05       39.6           2.8A             94       64
Myrtle Beach      0.01       33.4           2.4B             95       63
*A=Above, B=Below                                                                      
                                   
Note: Weekly rainfall amounts are for the prior 24-hrs ending 7 am Monday
through ending 7 am Sunday

                       Degree Days      
                         Actual  
                       August 1-24
                    Cooling   Heating              
Columbia            351       0
Charleston          358       0
Greenville          282       0           
                                                                                            
Temperatures are expected to average near normal for the week.
Rainfall is expected to be near to below normal.
The Sandhill Research and Education Center in north Columbia reports an
average 4-inch depth soil temperature of 84 degrees.

River stages are near normal.
Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 82
degrees.