WEEKLY SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER 2016

March 21, 2016 - March 27, 2016

WEATHER SUMMARY:

The first work week of spring began clear and cold. Sandy Springs and Fountain Inn recorded a Monday morning freezing 32 degrees. At 2:00 p.m., northwest winds at 20 mph were observed at McEntire ANG AP, N Myrtle Beach AP and Kingstree AP. Sub-freezing temperatures on Tuesday dropped to 28 degrees at Whitmire and Cedar Creek, 30 degrees at Rock Hill and Lugoff, and 31 degrees at Calhoun Falls and McCormick. Frost was observed as far south at Moncks Corner. A rush of warming on southwest winds moved the mercury 42 degrees at Cedar Creek to an afternoon high of 70 degrees. Saluda and Jamestown noted a morning-to-afternoon temperature rise of 39 degrees. Springtime warming on Wednesday sent the temperature to 79 degrees at Hilton Head Island and Walterboro. Although much of the state's March rain has been below average, farm operations have gained progress with the dry conditions. More clouds arrived on Thursday but still allowed visitors at Myrtle Beach to enjoy a warm 83 degrees. Areas of light rain and gusting southerly winds affected the coastal plain on Friday. Beaufort and Charleston both reached 79 degrees. Thunderstorms developed over the Lowcountry on Saturday bringing 1.21 inches of rain to Daniel Island and 0.93 inches of rain to Sullivan's Island. The Georgetown AP received 0.81 inches and 0.56 inches was measured at Crabtree Swamp near Conway. Hilton Head Island was the state's warmest location reporting 75 degrees. From the Piedmont to the beaches, Easter Sunday's weather was a mix of soaking rains, occasional thunder and mild temperatures. Orangeburg reached 73 degrees at 2:17 p.m. and a day-ending rainfall of 0.95 inches. The Charleston City Waterfront Park rainfall on Sunday of 1.97 inches gave that location a two-day total of 2.72 inches.

The highest official temperature reported was 84 degrees at Jamestown on March 24. The lowest official temperature reported was 25 degrees at Jocassee 8WNW on March 22. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall reported was 3.21 inches at the USGS Little Back River gage above Lucknow Canal near Limehouse (Jasper County) on March 27. The state average rainfall for the seven-day period was 1.0 inches. The state average temperature for the seven-day period was four degrees above the long-term average.

PRECIPITATION:

  Weekly Jan 1 Departure
Anderson AP 0.35 8.15 -3.4
Greer AP 0.40 9.95 -1.8
Charlotte, NC AP 0.29 7.47 -2.8
Columbia Metro AP 0.83 8.43 -2.0
Orangeburg AP 1.10 9.47 -1.6
Augusta, GA Bush AP 1.52 8.42 -3.1
Florence AP 0.70 8.99 -0.1
N Myrtle Beach AP 0.82 9.54 -1.0
Charleston AP 2..32 11.46 1.6
Savannah, GA AP 4.11 11.40 1.7

Weekly rainfall totals ending midnight Sunday.

SOIL:

4-inch depth soil temperature: Columbia 65 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF:

South Carolina river stages were near to below normal. The Charleston Harbor Ravenel Bridge reported a water temperature of 65 degrees. Springmaid Pier at Myrtle Beach reported a surf water temperature of 63 degrees.