SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

October 30 - November 5, 2000

WEATHER SUMMARY

Sunny, mild weather ended the record driest October ever observed in South Carolina. With only a few exceptions, the absence of consecutive, measurable rain days also approached a record. Afternoon high temperatures during the work week rose into the upper 70's and low 80's. Woodlands fires within South Carolina and across the border into North Carolina produced a veil of smoke greatly reducing the air quality. On Saturday evening, a weak boundary of cooler air entered the state and with it scattered light rain showers. This was the state's wettest rain event since September 25. Mostly sunny skies, clearing northeast winds and 70 degree high temperatures were observed on Sunday. Statewide temperatures for the period averaged two degrees above normal.

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

The maximum observed temperature was 87 degrees at Allendale on November 4. The minimum observed temperature was 29 degrees at Kershaw on the morning of November 1. The heaviest 24-hour rainfall was reported by Mullins with 0.29 inches ending Sunday morning, November 5. Statewide average rainfall for the period was 0.1".

                     Precipitation
               Period    2000   Deviation*                Temperature
Location        Total   Total    From Avg.             Maximum     Minimum	
Greer            0.17    29.2       14.9B                 83          39
Columbia         0.07    32.2       11.7B                 82          33            
Florence         0.01    32.4        6.2B                 80          38 	        
Charleston       0.09    40.7        5.6B                 81          41
N Myrtle Beach   0.19    48.1        4.1A                 72          37 
Augusta, Ga.     0.01    33.0        6.2B                 82          41
*A=Above, B=Below 
 

Note: Weekly rainfall amounts are for the prior 24-hrs ending 7 am Monday through ending 7 am Sunday.

SOIL

4 inch depth average soil temperature: Columbia 68 degrees

RIVERS AND SURF

South Carolina river stages are below normal. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 68 degrees.