SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

Jan. 26-Feb. 1, 1998


WEATHER SUMMARY

A frosty morning was followed by sunny weather and cool afternoon temperatures on Monday. Cloudy, rain-filled skies returned on Tuesday as strong low pressure tracked across the southeast. Mountain sites above 3,000 feet in elevation reported snowfall amounts between 5 and 12 inches. Rainfall totals averaged around 1 to 2 inches towards the coast and prompted additional flood warnings for eastern rivers. By Wednesday morning, a gale center reading 29.54" was observed near Myrtle Beach. Winds along coastal beaches were reported gusting at 40 mph. High pressure and clearing returned on Thursday and continued over the weekend. Statewide temperatures averaged 1 degree below normal.

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

The maximum observed temperature was 65 degrees on January 29 at Blackville. The minimum observed temperature was 17 degrees at Hunts Bridge and Cedar Creek on the morning of February 1. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall was recorded at Sandy Run with 2.70" ending 7 a.m. on January 28. Statewide rainfall for the period averaged 1.7 inches.

                  Precipitation
                 Period     1997      Deviation*      Temperature
Location         Total      Total     From Avg.     Maximum   Minimum   
Greer            1.55       6.7       2.5A          61        28
Charlotte, NC    1.49       5.7       1.9A          61        30
Columbia         2.02       6.9       2.4A          63        26    
Florence FAA     0.77       4.9       1.2A          62        29   
Blackville       0.58       6.3       2.0A          65        25 
Augusta, GA      1.47       7.5       3.3A          63        26
Beaufort         1.08       8.1       4.3A          64        36 
Charleston       1.57       7.6       4.0A          64        30
Myrtle Beach     0.82       7.4       3.2A          56        31
*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

ENERGY DEMAND AND AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY

                       Degree Days      
                          Actual  
                        Jan. 1-31
                    Cooling   Heating              
Columbia               7        512
Charleston            10        372
Greenville             0        602    
Temperatures are expected to average near normal for the week. Rainfall is expected to be above normal.
The Sandhill Research and Education Center in north Columbia reports an average 4-inch depth soil temperature of 45 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF

River stages are above normal.
Several eastern rivers are in flood.
Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 51 degrees.


sco@water.dnr.state.sc.us
http://water.dnr.state.sc.us/climate/sco/weekly/wk020298.html