The last week of autumn was mild with welcomed rains for the driest regions of the state. Early morning fog with "zero" visibilities was reported Tuesday at both Shaw AFB and McEntire AP. Afternoon high temperatures warmed into the 70's Monday through Wednesday, peaking Thursday with several sites observing 80 degrees or higher. The Charleston AP set a date record high temperature of 80 degrees on Thursday. Southwest winds on Friday gusted to 37 mph at Columbia AP and Shaw AFB. The week's last round of rainshowers developed ahead of an approaching cold front Saturday with Honea Path receiving 0.84 inches. Jocassee Dam, located in Oconee County, measured 2.75 inches of rain during the week. On Sunday, the first day of winter, temperatures began a steady fall from mid-day into the evening hours. West winds gusted to 41 mph at Greer AP. The state average temperature for the period was three degrees above normal.
The highest official temperature reported was 83 degrees at Orangeburg Water Plant on December 18. The lowest official temperature reported was 31 degrees at Anderson AP at 11:56 p.m. on December 21. The heaviest 24-hour rainfall reported was 1.58 inches at Pickens ending at 7:00 a.m. on December 17. The state average rainfall for the period was 0.2 inches.
Precipitation
Weekly Jan 1 Departure
Total Total from Avg
Greer 0.67 37.65 -11.3
Columbia 0.07 44.06 -3.0
Orangeburg 0.02 43.22 -3.8
Charlotte, NC 0.38 42.06 -0.4
Augusta, GA 0.05 43.66 0.2
Florence 0.23 50.05 6.5
N Myrtle Beach 0.11 50.41 5.8
Charleston 0.08 47.29 -3.1
Savannah, GA 0.03 47.30 -1.2
Weekly rainfall totals ending midnight Sunday.
4-inch depth average soil temperature: Columbia 60 degrees.
South Carolina river stages were near normal. Ocean water temperatures at Springmaid Pier Myrtle Beach were reported at 53 degrees.
