SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

April 14-20, 997


WEATHER SUMMARY

     High pressure was the dominant feature for most of the work week with
continuing below normal temperatures.  Dry weather and mostly sunny skies
continued into Thursday, April 17, when a cold front quickly passed through
the state. Only a few light showers were recorded.  On Friday morning, much
colder air caused temperatures to fall below freezing.  There were scattered
reports of damage to peach growers.  Strong northwest winds occurred follow-
ing the frontal passage on with gust as high as 40 mph. Isolated thunder-
storms and showers were noted on Saturday as another front moved across
the state. Most sites received little rain and all cooperative observation
stations are now reporting below normal rainfall since January 1. Sunday
was mild and sunny. Statewide temperatures for the period averaged 7 degrees
below normal.
PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA
     The maximum observed temperature was 81 degrees on April 20 at
Allendale and Williams.  The minimum observed temperature was 25 degrees at
Cedar Creek on the morning of April 18.  The heaviest official 24-hour
rainfall was recorded at Pelion with 0.67" ending at 7:00 a.m. on April 20.
Statewide rainfall for the period averaged 0.1".

                  Precipitation
                Period     1997     Deviation*         Temperature
Location        Total      Total    From Avg.        Maximum Minimum   
Greer           0.00       14.5        2.1B           72       36
Charlotte, NC   0.00       11.5        2.2B           73       35
Columbia        0.11       11.0        4.6B           74       37            
Florence FAA    0.00       10.2        2.5B           75       37   
Blackville      0.18       11.5        3.5B           80       33
Augusta, GA     0.08       11.4        3.8B           80       35   
Beaufort        0.00       10.2        2.8B           78       43 
Charleston      0.00       9.2         3.7B           78       38
Myrtle Beach    0.18       13.9        0.3B           77       37
*A=Above, B=Below                                                                       
ENERGY DEMAND AND AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY
                            Degree Days          
                              Actual  
                            April 1-20
                    Cooling        Heating              
Columbia               20           115
Charleston             28           95
Greenville             2            184
                                                                                            
     Temperatures are expected to average above normal for the week.
Rainfall is expected to be near to above normal. The Sandhill Experiment
Station in north Columbia reports an average 4-inch depth soil temperature
of 67 degrees.
RIVERS AND SURF River stages are near normal. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 65 degrees.
sercc@water.dnr.state.sc.us