SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

August 16 - 22, 2004

WEATHER SUMMARY

On both Monday and Tuesday, high temperatures were held in the lower to mid-80's by mostly cloudy skies. A more southerly surface flow followed during midweek with heat, humidity, and afternoon thunderstorms. Hot weather and poor air quality were observed Thursday into Saturday. Afternoon temperatures peaked in the low to mid-90's. Widely scattered thunderstorms developed over the upstate Friday producing high winds. Low cloud cover on Sunday limited daytime heating and high temperatures fell back into the 80's. For the period, the state average temperature was near normal.

The highest official temperature reported was 95 degrees at Orangeburg on August 20. The lowest official temperature reported was 56 degrees at Caesars Head on the morning of August 16. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall reported was 2.42" at Sandy Springs ending at 7:00 a.m. on August 18. The average statewide rainfall for the period was 0.2”.

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

                            Precipitation                    
                       Weekly   Jan 1  Deviation     
                        Total   Total   From Avg
         Greer           0.28    24.9       -8.7
      Columbia           0.00    29.9       -3.8          
    Orangeburg           0.16    29.0       -3.6
 Charlotte, NC           0.60    30.2       +1.8
   Augusta, GA           0.07    28.5       -2.3 
      Florence           0.01    22.1       -8.6           
  Myrtle Beach           1.75    32.8       +4.0 
    Charleston           1.50    26.4       -8.1           
  Savannah, GA  	 0.45	 30.0       -8.2

Weekly rainfall totals ending midnight Sunday.            
 

SOIL

4 inch depth average soil temperature: Columbia 81 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF

South Carolina river stages were below normal. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach
and Savannah will average around 80 degrees.