South Carolina Drought News Release
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
Land, Water and Conservation Division
South Carolina Drought Response Program
Department of Natural Resources News (803) 734-4133
August 1, 2001
Drought Update for June and July
The summer weather pattern
has been different from what climate forecasters anticipated, but no one's
complaining.
According
to Milt Brown, the South Carolina State Climatologist, the weather pattern this
summer has been unusual because frontal systems continued to push into South
Carolina. Normally, the Bermuda high
builds inland over the state and blocks frontal systems from coming this far
south during the summer. Tom Ardrey, a hydrologist with the National
Weather Service, explains that a huge high pressure system over the southern
plains has allowed a long wave trough to remain over the
East Coast. This persistent longwave trough has helped increase the
low level mositure over South Carolina and push frontal systems through the
state triggering more widespread thunderstorms.
Many locations reported
above normal rainfall and below normal temperatures since
June 1st. However, some locations still did not receive normal
precipitation for the period (see Table). The statewide preliminary
rainfall for June and July has totaled 9.64 inches which is 0.7 inches below
normal. Areas in the midlands appear to be the driest with Columbia Airport
reporting a rainfall deficit over 3 inches since June 1st. Even for those
locations that have not received normal rainfall below normal temperatures have
helped relieve drought stress. The statewide mean temperature since
June 1st has averaged 77 degrees which is one degree below normal. The
avereage temperature for July, 78 degrees, was actually the coolest since
1984. The average temperature in July 1984 was 77. The
highest temperature reported this summer was 101 degrees at Jamestown
on July 9th. Only a few stations have reached 100 degrees this summer and
that was only on one or two days around July 9th.
The below
normal temperatures and near normal rainfall has helped reduce demand for
water. The Drought Information Center has not received any reports from
public systems of water supply problems. The rainfall
pattern has also been consistent enough to maintain streamflow.
Accordinig to Robert Graham with the South Carolina
Agricultural Statistics Service , compared to the last three years our crops
are in much better condition statewide. However, more general
rainfall is needed all across the state for continued crop growth and
development. Normal rain will be particularly important for cotton
and soybean growth.
The Drought Response Committee is expected to convene in the
next two weeks to review the drought status. For more information
on drought conditions visit the web site : http://www.dnr.sc.gov/drought
Summer Rainfall Totals for Selected South Carolina Stations June - July 2001
| Name |
Precipitation
(inches) |
Deviation |
|---|
| ANDERSON |
12.88 |
5.2 |
| GRNVL SPART |
9.76 |
0.38 |
| PICKENS |
10.18 |
0.58 |
| CHESTER |
8.22 |
-0.58 |
| CHERAW |
9.75 |
-0.76 |
| DILLON |
8.36 |
-1.76 |
| FLORENCE |
13.11 |
3.18 |
| MYRTLE BEACH |
10.87 |
-1.13 |
| CALHOUN FALLS |
9.84 |
1.18 |
| WARE SHOALS |
9.5 |
1.31 |
| COLUMBIA |
7.02 |
-3.28 |
| ORANGEBURG |
8.64 |
-1.56 |
| CHARLESTON AIRPORT |
18.57 |
5.29 |
| CHARLESTON DOWNTOWN |
14.58 |
2.75 |
| WALTERBORO |
15.67 |
3.38 |
Find out more about the State Climatology Office at http://www.dnr.sc.gov/climate/sco/ or by calling (803) 734-9100.
