SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

January 5 - 11, 2004

WEATHER SUMMARY

Warm conditions started the week with 70 degree high temperatures common across the eastern half of the state. There were reports of zero visibility along the immediate central coast due to sea fog. While the midlands and coast were enjoying the warmth, a cold front advanced from the northwest, resulting in scattered showers over the upstate. Freezing air settled in mid-week with Wednesday being the coldest morning so far of the season. Low pressure began to develop Thursday morning near the Florida panhandle and slowly sent moisture towards South Carolina. By late Thursday night, brief periods of sleet were observed in the midlands. On Friday morning, high elevation counties bordering North Carolina reported a combination of snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Amounts were light and little accumulation was noted. Beaufort, the state's southernmost county, also observed light sleet. During the evening on Friday there were public reports of flurries as the system departed. Cloudy skies were slow to clear on Saturday and without the sun high temperatures barely made forty degrees. Sunny weather returned on Sunday and began a slight rise in temperatures. The statewide average temperature for the period was near normal.

The state's highest reported temperature was 81 degrees at Jamestown on January 5. The lowest temperature was 12 degrees at Caesars Head on morning of January 7. The heaviest 24-hour rainfall reported was 0.73" at Laurens ending at 7:00 a.m. on January 6. The average statewide rainfall for the period was 0.3”.

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

                             Precipitation                 
                       Weekly   Jan 1  Deviation     
                        Total   Total   From Avg
         Greer           0.36    0.36       -1.2          
      Columbia           0.17    0.17       -1.4
   Augusta, GA           0.31    0.31       -1.2           
      Florence           0.03    0.03       -1.5  
  Myrtle Beach           0.32    0.32       -0.9            
    Charleston           0.38    0.38       -1.1  
   
                

Note: Weekly rainfall amounts are for the 24-hour period ending midnight Sunday.

SOIL

4 inch depth average soil temperature: Columbia 44 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF

South Carolina river stages were near to below normal. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach
and Savannah will average around 47 degrees.