Freezing temperatures on Monday were limited to a few sheltered locations in the north Midlands and mountain valleys. Summerville reported the state's warmest afternoon temperature at 65 degrees. Overcast skies on Tuesday kept most locations in the 50's during the afternoon hours. December 2013 rainfall totals across the state ranged from a low of 1.58 inches at N Myrtle Beach to a high of 9.87 inches at Calhoun Falls. The 2014 New Year began under cloudy conditions and light rains falling over the Lowcountry. On Thursday morning, Edisto Beach measured a 24-hour rainfall total of 1.11 inches. The Charleston AP reported a Thursday maximum temperature of 60 degrees and a rainfall total of 0.78 inches. A strong cold front moved into the state on Friday. The Thursday high temperature at Johnston of 53 degrees fell to a Friday morning minimum of 23 degrees. Northwest winds gusted to 41 mph at McEntire ANG AP. At 3:18 a.m., the Charleston harbor tide gage indicated a predicted low tide departure of minus 2.33 feet ("blowout tides") due to gusting northwest winds of 49 mph recorded at Fort Johnson. Leftover roadside puddles from Thursday's rains were ice covered across central South Carolina. Saturday morning low temperatures included 14 degrees at Chesnee, 17 degrees at Pelion, 21 degrees at McCormick and 31 degrees at Beaufort. Lake City measured a 24-hour rainfall of 0.68 inches. Saturday was cloudy and cold. Chester and Union only made it to 35 degrees. Milder air made a return on Sunday for the coastal counties. The Georgetown AP reached 69 degrees. Light rains moved into the state from Georgia on Sunday night just ahead of an approaching cold wave. The state average temperature for the seven-day period was two degrees below the long-term average.
The highest official temperature reported was 71 degrees at Charleston AP on January 5. The lowest official temperature reported was 9 degrees at Caesars Head on January 3. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall reported was 1.30 inches at Summerville ending at 7:00 a.m. on January 3. The state average rainfall for the seven-day period was 0.5 inches.
PRECIPITATION:
Precipitation
Weekly Jan 1 Departure
Anderson AP 0.43 0.43 -0.2
Greer AP 0.25 0.25 -0.4
Charlotte, NC AP 0.50 0.50 -0.1
Columbia Metro AP 0.24 0.24 -0.3
Orangeburg AP 0.53 0.53 -0.1
Augusta, GA Bush AP 0.45 0.45 -0.2
Florence AP 0.55 0.55 0.0
N Myrtle Beach AP 0.76 0.76 0.2
Charleston AP 0.95 0.95 0.4
Savannah, GA AP 1.16 1.16 0.6
Weekly rainfall totals ending midnight Sunday.
SOIL:
4-inch depth soil temperature: Columbia 45 degrees, Charleston 54 degrees.
RIVERS AND SURF:
South Carolina river stages were near normal. The ocean water temperature at Springmaid Pier Myrtle Beach was reported at 51 degrees.
