SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

     Cold, high pressure brought winter like temperatures across the state
through the first four days of the week. Early morning minimums on Tuesday
fell into the teens over western counties and low twenties towards the coast.
Only central and southern beaches escaped the sub-freezing air mass.  On
Friday, November 21, rain and thunderstorms developed ahead of an approaching
frontal boundary.  High winds caused damage in Richland, Abbeville, and
Greenwood counties.  On Saturday, southerly winds pushed the mercury into the
ower 80's at sites near Hilton Head.  A wedge of cool air and cloudy skies
prevailed north of the midlands.  By Sunday, another cold front had passed,
giving way to sunny weather.

     The maximum observed temperature was 82 degrees on November 22 at
Beaufort.  The minimum observed temperature was 13 degrees at Huntsbridge on
the morning of November 18.  The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall was
recorded at West Pelzer with 2.41" ending at 7:00 a.m. on November 22.
Statewide rainfall for the period averaged 0.6 inches.

                 Precipitation
                Period     1997     Deviation*       Temperature
Location        Total      Total    From Avg.      Maximum   Minimum   
Greer           1.24       45.6       0.6B         68        23
Charlotte, NC   1.25       44.1       5.2A         68        24
Columbia        0.67       41.9       3.7B         71        24            
Florence FAA    0.06       43.3       3.2A         75        25   
Blackville      0.39       49.2       1.6A         71        24
Augusta, GA     1.13       42.4       1.8B         73        23
Beaufort        0.50       49.2       1.6B         82        35 
Charleston      0.28       56.9       9.2A         80        30
Myrtle Beach    0.52       46.6       1.5B         78        29
*A=Above, B=Below                                                                      
                                   
Note: Weekly rainfall amounts are for the prior 24-hrs ending 7:00 a.m.
Monday through ending 7:00 a.m. Sunday

                       Degree Days      
                         Actual  
                       Nov. 1-23
                    Cooling   Heating              
Columbia              0        332
Charleston            7        237
Greenville            0        423         
     
     Temperatures are expected to average near normal for the week.  Rainfall
is expected to be near normal.
     The Sandhill Research and Education Center in north Columbia reports an
average 4-inch depth soil temperature of 50 degrees.

    River stages are near normal.
    Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 58
    degrees.