SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

     The first couple of days of the week were sunny and hot.  Afternoon
temperatures of 95 or higher were common.  A welcomed change took place on
Thursday when a very early season cold front passed southward through the
state.  During the collision of the drier, cooler air with the moist,
tropical air, heavy rains and thundershowers were reported.  Several sites
from the south midlands into coastal sections totaled rainfall event
amounts of between 3 and 5 inches. On Friday and Saturday mornings, minimum
temperatures fell into the upper 40's over the mountains and low 60's near
the beaches.  Mostly sunny skies continued over the weekend with a quick
rebound to 90 degree afternoon weather.  Statewide temperatures for the
period averaged around three degrees below normal.  
 

     The maximum observed temperature was 99 degrees on July 28 at Allendale.
The minimum observed temperature was 47 degreesHuntsbridge on the morning of
August 1.  The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall was recorded at Myrtle
Beach with 3.75" ending at 7 a.m. on July 30.  Statewide rainfall for the
period averaged 2.1 inches.

                 Precipitation
                Period     1997      Deviation*      Temperature
Location        Total      Total     From Avg.    Maximum     Minimum   
Greer           0.54       33.1        1.1A         95           57
Charlotte, NC   0.38       32.5        6.4A         93           62
Columbia        1.27       29.3        2.0B         94           57            
Florence FAA    2.09       29.0        1.4A         95           60   
Blackville      0.46       29.6        1.2B         98           58
Augusta, GA     1.66       25.4        3.4B         100          56
Beaufort        4.36       29.8        1.4B         94           65 
Charleston      0.70       38.2        6.4A         94           63
Myrtle Beach    4.42       31.2        0.1A         92           63
*A=Above, B=Below                                                                       
                                   
Note: Weekly rainfall amounts are for the prior 24-hrs ending 7 am Monday through ending 7 am Sunday

                                Degree Days      
                                   Actual  
                                 August 1-3
                             Cooling    Heating              
Columbia                       26          0
Charleston                     37          0
Greenville                     24          0           
                                                                                            
     Temperatures are expected to average near to below normal for the week.
Rainfall is expected to be near normal.  The and hill Research and Education
Center in north Columbia reports an average 4-inch depth soil temperature of
86 degrees.

    River stages are near normal.
Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 81 degrees.