SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

July 12 - 18, 2004

WEATHER SUMMARY

Near 100 degree heat was common throughout South Carolina early in the week. Heat Index values peaked on Wednesday with Charleston AP reporting 108 degrees at 2:00 P.M. An unusual but welcomed cold front dropped southeast Thursday replacing the tropical airmass with reduced humidity and cooler temperatures. On Friday morning, the mercury had fallen into the 50's and 60's. Strong thunderstorms developed ahead of a second reinforcing frontal boundary Saturday. Fairfield County observed large hail and damaging winds. Sunny weather was reported over western counties Sunday while sites to the east experienced late afternoon storms. For the period, the state average temperature was near normal.

The highest official temperature reported was 100 degrees at Johnston and Darlington on July 14. The lowest official temperature reported was 52 degrees at Longcreek on the morning of July 16. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall reported was 2.31" at Greer ending at 7:00 a.m. on July 18. The average statewide rainfall for the period was 0.4”.

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

                Precipitation                     Temperature
                       Weekly   Jan 1  Deviation      Average  Average
                        Total   Total   From Avg      Maximum  Minimum  Average
         Greer           2.72    21.5       -7.2           89       70       80
      Columbia           0.22    23.1       -4.4           93       72       83 
   Augusta, GA           0.00    23.9       -1.9           94       70       82 
        Cheraw*           NA     
       Chester*           NA
      Johnston*           NA
        Sumter*           NA       
     Clemson*           NA
      Florence           1.47    16.0       -8.4           92       70       81 
  Myrtle Beach           2.28    20.4       -2.3           86       72       79 
     Allendale*           NA
    Charleston           0.22    18.6       -8.5           94       74       84 
      Beaufort*           NA

* Rainfall totals ending Sunday 7:00 a.m.  All others ending midnight.
E-Estimated  

SOIL

4 inch depth average soil temperature: Columbia 85 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF

South Carolina river stages were below normal. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach
and Savannah will average around 82 degrees.