SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

May 25-31, 1998


WEATHER SUMMARY

Memorial Day Monday was sunny and hot. Afternoon temperatures climbed into the mid and upper 90's. On Wednesday, strong thunderstorms developed across northwestern and northeastern counties. Hail, high winds and brief street flooding were observed. Pan evaporation rates peaked Wednesday with the Sandhill Experiment Station in northeast Columbia measuring a 24 hour loss of 0.53 inches. Slow moving, scattered storms produced welcomed rains on Thursday though most sites remained dry. A few convective late afternoon and evening thunderstorms were noted on Saturday. The week ended under sunny, humid conditions. Temperatures for the period averaged seven degrees above normal.

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

The maximum observed temperature was 98 degrees on May 25 at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. The minimum observed temperature was 55 degrees at Hunts Bridge on the morning of May 27. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall was recorded at Caesars Head with 3.32 inches ending at 7:00 a.m. on May 29. Statewide rainfall for the period averaged 0.5 inches.

                 Precipitation
                Period     1998       Deviation*        Temperature
Location        Total      Total      From Avg.     Maximum      Minimum   
Greer           0.28       28.9        6.8A         90           64
Charlotte, NC   0.31       20.3        1.8A         93           69 
Columbia        0.52       25.8        5.4A         95           70    
Florence FAA    1.12       25.8        8.6A         97           70   
Blackville      NA         NA          NA           NA           NA
Augusta, GA     0.08       29.2        9.10A        96           67
Beaufort        0.03       29.6        11.7A        95           72
Charleston AP   0.09       31.9        14.1A        93           70
Myrtle Beach    0.48       32.3        12.9A        93           70
*A=Above, B=Below                                                                       
Note: Weekly rainfall amounts are for the prior 24-hrs ending 7:00 a.m. Monday through ending 7:00 a.m. Sunday

ENERGY DEMAND AND AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY

                       Degree Days      
                         Actual  
                        May 1-31  
                   Cooling     Heating             
Columbia           318         1
Charleston         324         0
Greenville         220         15   
Temperatures are expected to average near normal for the week. Rainfall is expected to be near normal. The Sandhill Research and Education Center in north Columbia reports an average 4-inch depth soil temperature of 80 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF

Rivers are near to below normal. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 77 degrees.


sco@water.dnr.state.sc.us
http://water.dnr.state.sc.us/climate/sco/weekly/wk060198.html