WEEKLY SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER 2011

January 10, 2011 - January 16, 2011

WEATHER SUMMARY:

Monday started with snow falling from the mountains into the southern Midlands. At around 5:30 a.m., lightning and thunder were observed accompanying the heavy snow over central South Carolina. Sleet fell on parts of Dorchester and Charleston counties and Beaufort reported freezing rain. On Tuesday morning, Chesnee measured 13 inches of snow on the ground. The National Weather Service reported 10 inches of snow at Newberry and 8-inch totals for Darlington, Bennettsville, Pageland and Kershaw. An extended period of freezing rain in Allendale resulted in significant tree damage and disruptions to electrical service. There was little melting on Wednesday of the iced-over roads as temperatures remained in the middle 30's. Temperatures plummeted on a clear and still Thursday morning. Saluda reported 12 degrees. It was 16 degrees in Sandy Run, 18 degrees in Summerville and 21 degrees at the Hilton Head Island AP. On Friday morning at 6:12 a.m., the Springmaid Pier Myrtle Beach surf water temperature read 41.0 degrees. Light wind and plentiful sunshine allowed daily temperatures to creep higher through the weekend. Barnwell recorded a Sunday high temperature of 62 degrees. The state average temperature for the seven-day period was nine degrees below normal.

The highest official temperature reported was 63 degrees at Andrews and Hardeeville on January 16. The lowest official temperature reported was 5 degrees at Jocassee on January 13. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall reported was 1.20 inches at Caesars Head ending at 7:00 a.m. on January 10. The state average rainfall for the period was 0.5 inches.

PRECIPITATION:

                            Precipitation                                                      
                       Weekly   Jan 1   Departure     
                        Total   Total   from Avg
         Greer           0.76    1.54     -0.7
      Anderson           0.39    1.37     -1.0
      Columbia           0.64    1.04     -1.3
    Orangeburg           0.63    1.21     -1.1
 Charlotte, NC           0.49    0.92     -1.1
   Augusta, GA           0.54    1.10     -1.2  
      Florence           0.27    0.49     -1.7
N Myrtle Beach           0.33    0.55     -1.3
    Charleston           0.58    1.10     -1.0
  Savannah, GA           0.36    0.80     -1.2
              
Weekly rainfall totals ending midnight Sunday.

SOIL:

4-inch depth soil temperature: Columbia 46 degrees, Charleston 47 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF:

South Carolina river stages were below normal. Ocean water temperatures at Springmaid Pier Myrtle Beach were reported at 42 degrees.