SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

Aline of early morning thunderstorms passed through the state Monday. High winds were responsible for scattered reports of tree damage and power interruptions. Mild, mostly sunny conditions continued during the work week. On Friday a frontal boundary separated mid-70 degree warmth across southern sections with 50 degree temperatures to the north. With the exception of the immediate beaches most of the state on Saturday enjoyed readings in the mid to upper 70's. Sunday's weather was a mix of gusting winds and a sharp drop of high temperatures back into the 60's. Statewide temperatures for the period averaged seven degrees above normal.

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

The maximum observed temperature was 80 degrees at Walhalla on February 16 and at Jamestown and Cheraw on February 19. The minimum observed temperature was 24 degrees at Walhalla on the morning of February 20. The heaviest 24-hour rainfall reported was 2.00" at Charleston AP on February 14. The average statewide rainfall for the period was 1.0".

                Precipitation
               Period     2000   Deviation*      Temperature
Location       Total      Total  From Avg.    Maximum   Minimum   
Greer          0.80       5.3      1.9B         74        34
Columbia       0.86       9.9      2.7A         79        29            
Florence FAA   0.74       5.4      0.4B         78        33           
Blackville     0.56       5.4      1.8B         78        30
Beaufort       0.87       3.6      2.5B         77        43
Charleston     2.00       6.0      0.3B         76        34
Myrtle Beach   0.57       5.5      0.2B         65        30 
Augusta, Ga.   0.57       7.1      0.1A         79        29

Note: Weekly rainfall amounts are for the prior 24-hrs ending 7 am Monday through ending 7 am Sunday

SOIL

4 inch depth average soil temperature: Columbia 53 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF

Most South Carolina rivers are near normal. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 51 degrees.