SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

Much like the week before, cool clear mornings and sunny, warm afternoons were observed on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday, scattered thunderstorms developed in response to an area of low pressure sliding southeast and becoming nearly stationary offshore. With the upper air still quite cold, hail episodes were noted in many of the storms. Dillon reported golf ball sized hail stones. Additional severe weather was reported on Friday across northeastern counties with brief heavy rains and more large hail. Skies began to clear around midday Saturday. Sunday was one of those picture perfect days displaying a bright blue sky, passing white cumulus clouds and temperatures peaking in the 80's. Statewide temperatures for the period averaged near normal.

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

The maximum observed temperature was 90 degrees on May 10 at Orangeburg and Beaufort. The minimum observed temperature was 47 degrees in Cedar Creek on the morning of May 16. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall was recorded at Charleston AP with 2.45" on May 12. Statewide rainfall for the period averaged 0.2 inches.

               Precipitation
               Period   1999   Deviation*       Temperature
Location       Total    Total   From Avg.    Maximum    Minimum   
Greer          0.15     14.0      5.9B         82         52
Charlotte, NC  0.07     11.9      4.6B         82         50
Columbia       0.05     13.4      5.0B         86         54            
Florence FAA   0.05     18.7      3.5A         85         54   
Blackville     0.10     17.1      1.0B         89         48
Augusta, GA    0.37     13.9      4.2B         88         47
Beaufort       0.44     12.5      3.5B         90         59 
Charleston     3.01     15.7      0.2A         86         57
Myrtle Beach   1.09     17.0      0.3B         83         56

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

ENERGY DEMAND AND AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY

                 Degree Days      
                   Actual  
                  May 1-16
              Cooling   Heating              
Columbia      62        14
Charleston    76        20
Greenville    29        19          

RIVERS AND SURF

Most river stages are near normal. Rivers in northeastern counties are at or above flood stage. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 72 degrees.