WEATHER SUMMARY
An almost Fall-like morning was observed on Monday as minimum temperatures fell into the 50's and 60's. By Wednesday, dry, high pressure blanketed the Southeast with steadily climbing temperatures under all day sun. Several sites recorded upper 90 degree heat. Calm winds contributed to hazy skies and poor air quality. South Carolina's hottest day of the Summer occurred on Friday when the mercury exceeded the century mark at many locations. Heat index values ranged between 105 and 115 degrees. A boundary of cooler air entered the state on Friday evening with a line of thunderstorms and welcomed wet weather. Reports indicated that counties across the north midlands and eastward towards the north coast received the only appreciable amounts. Partly sunny conditions ended the week along with nearer to normal temperatures. Statewide temperatures for the period averaged three degrees above normal.
PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA
The maximum observed temperature was 105 degrees at State Climatology Office in downtown Columbia on August 18. The minimum observed temperature was 56 degrees at Walhalla and Kershaw on August 14. The heaviest 24-hour rainfall was reported at Dillon with 1.62" ending at 7:00 a.m. on August 19. Statewide average rainfall for the period was 0.5".
Precipitation
Period 2000 Deviation* Temperature
Location Total Total From Avg. Maximum Minimum
Greer 0.24 24.4 9.8B 100 64
Columbia 0.16 24.1 10.6B 103 62
Florence 0.96 23.5 6.7B 97 63
Charleston 0.71 30.8 5.0B 93 65
N Myrtle Beach 0.78 30.7 2.0B 88 64
Augusta, Ga. 0.54 25.3 6.1B 99 60
*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 84 degrees.
RIVERS AND SURF
South Carolina rivers stages are below normal. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 83 degrees.
sco@water.dnr.state.sc.us http://water.dnr.state.sc.us/climate/sco/weekly/wk082000.html