SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

     The last week of Summer was hot and dry.  Only a few sites received any
measurable rain.  A weak front entered the state on Wednesday, stalled and
dissipated.  Cloudy skies on Thursday afternoon held temperatures in the
80's.  Due to the prolonged period of lack of rainfall, a statewide incipient
drought was declared by DNR officials.  Both Friday and Saturday saw the
mercury climb into the mid and upper 90's under hazy and partly sunny skies.
On Sunday, September 21, a shallow cold front swept across the state with
increased cloud cover, brisk northeast winds and temperature drops of between
fifteen to twenty degrees.  Statewide temperatures for the period averaged
from three degrees above normal along the coast to seven degrees above normal
in the midlands and upstate.  

     The maximum observed temperature was 101 degrees on September 20 at
Johnston.  The minimum observed temperature was 57 degrees at Mullins on
the morning of the 17th.  The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall was
recorded at Summerville with 1.37" on September 16.  Statewide rainfall
for the period averaged 0.4 inches.

                 Precipitation
                Period     1997         Deviation*          Temperature
Location        Total      Total         From Avg.       Maximum    Minimum   
Greer           0.03       34.8            3.5B          93         63
Charlotte, NC   0.02       34.0            1.9A          94         64
Columbia        0.00       29.8            9.7B          98         64            
Florence FAA    0.04       35.0            0.2A          95         64   
Blackville      0.00       35.6            1.8B          96         63
Augusta, GA     0.04       28.2            6.9B          99         63
Beaufort        0.10       34.2            7.6B          95         72 
Charleston      0.59       44.7            2.9A          91         68
Myrtle Beach    0.96       36.5            4.0B          88         66
*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  
                        Sept. 1-21
                    Cooling   Heating              
Columbia             261      0
Charleston           254      0
Greenville           201      0           
                                                                                            
     Temperatures are expected to average below 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 80 degrees.

    River stages are well below normal.
    Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 77
    degrees.