SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

May 15-21, 2000


WEATHER SUMMARY

Cooler conditions started the week with daytime high temperatures reported in the upper 70's. On Tuesday morning, minimum temperatures fell into the 40's and set records for the date. Throughout the remainder of the week and until late evening Sunday when a few isolated thundershowers developed, it was the hot and dry story all over again. Most of the state has not received any rain in nearly three weeks. Charleston AP has not reported measurable rain this month. Demand for water continues to rise. Statewide temperatures for the period averaged three degrees above normal.

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

The maximum observed temperature was 98 degrees at Cheraw, Blackville and Johnston on May 20. The minimum observed temperature was 41 degrees at Kershaw on the morning of May 16. The heaviest 24-hour rainfall was reported at Greenwood with 0.05" ending at 7 a.m. on May 18. Statewide average rainfall for the period was 0.0".

                     Precipitation
               Period   2000    Deviation*            Temperature
Location        Total   Total   From Avg.          Maximum     Minimum
Greer            0.00   16.3      4.4B                90         52
Columbia         0.00   15.7      3.2B                96         46
Florence         0.00   11.1      4.8B                93         48
Charleston       0.00   11.5      4.7B                94         58
N Myrtle Beach   0.00   12.0      3.9B                81         51
Augusta, Ga.     0.00   11.8      6.9B                96         45
*A=Above, B=Below

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 78 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF

Most South Carolina rivers are below normal. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 76 degrees.


sco@water.dnr.state.sc.us
http://water.dnr.state.sc.us/climate/sco/weekly/wk052200.html