SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

January 26 - February 1, 2004

WEATHER SUMMARY

Freezing surface air, forced south from Canada along the east facing slopes of the Appalachian Mountains, combined with Gulf moisture to produce a nearly statewide ice storm. Most inland sites on both Monday and Tuesday remained at or below 32 degrees. Ice accumulations into Tuesday morning ranged from one quarter to three quarters of an inch on exposed surfaces. Power disruptions were estimated to have affected nearly 300 thousand citizens. Roadway travel became limited if not impossible. Transportation officials reported at least 2000 accidents. Several fatalities were blamed on the treacherous conditions. Local and State Governments, schools and business activity were canceled or delayed. An axis running south to north across the Southern Midlands was especially hard hit with ice laden wires and tree limbs damaging utilities and personal property. XXXstop The statewide average temperature for the period was six degrees below normal.

The state's highest reported temperature was 70 degrees at Allendale on January 24. The lowest temperature was 12 degrees at Caesars Head on morning of January 20. The heaviest 24-hour rainfall reported was *0.68" at Greenville on January 25. The average statewide rainfall for the period was 0.1”.
* Limited reports

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

                             Precipitation                 
                       Weekly   Jan 1  Deviation     
                        Total   Total   From Avg
         Greer           0.68    1.26       -2.1          
      Columbia           0.22    0.51       -2.9
   Augusta, GA           0.45    0.95       -2.7           
      Florence           0.00    0.03       -3.2  
  Myrtle Beach           0.10    0.57       -2.2            
    Charleston           0.02    0.50       -2.6  
 
        

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

SOIL

4 inch depth average soil temperature: Columbia 42 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF

South Carolina river stages were below normal. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and
Savannah will average around 46 degrees.