SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

April 19 - 25, 2004

WEATHER SUMMARY

High pressure positioned offshore dominated the week with above normal temperatures and dry, sunny weather. Johnston recorded the state's first 90 degree temperature for the new year on Tuesday, April 20. Southwesterly winds combined with the ongoing dry conditions to fuel an increase in wildfire incidents. With the exception of the immediate coastal counties all inland sites are at least a month or more behind in normal rainfall for the year. The week ended with afternoon temperatures edging near the hot category with numerous observations at or above 90 degrees. For the period, the state average temperature was eight degrees above normal.

The highest temperature reported was 93 degrees at Orangeburg on April 24. The lowest temperature was 50 degrees at Longcreek the morning of April 20. The average statewide rainfall for the period was 0.0.”

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

                           Precipitation                     Temperature
                       Weekly   Jan 1  Deviation      Average  Average
                        Total   Total   From Avg      Maximum  Minimum  Average
         Greer           0.00     8.8       -8.1           82       58       70 
      Columbia           0.00     7.1       -8.5           87       60       73 
   Augusta, GA           0.00     9.6       -6.2           86       53       70 
        Cheraw           0.00     6.2       -9.1           88       56       72 
       Chester           0.00     8.6       -7.6           86       53       69 
      Johnston           0.00     5.4      -11.6           87       56       72 
        Sumter           0.00     7.8       -7.2           85       59       72
       Clemson           0.00     7.1      -12.4           82       56       69
      Florence           0.00     7.1       -6.4           85       60       72 
  Myrtle Beach           0.00     9.3       -3.8           74       63       69 
     Allendale           0.00     9.6       -5.2           86       55       71 
    Charleston           0.00     8.3       -5.2           83       61       72 
      Beaufort           0.00     7.0       -6.4           83       63       73 

SOIL

4 inch depth average soil temperature: Columbia 73 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF

South Carolina river stages were below normal. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach
and Savannah will average around 69 degrees.