SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

     A slow-moving cold front helped develop thunderstorms on Tuesday and
Wednesday.  Rainfall coverage on Wednesday was generally widespread and
brought much welcomed relief to the dry conditions.  Afternoon temperatures
dropped back into the 80's by Thursday.  Early Friday morning, thunderstorm
winds, estimated at 75 mph, caused roof damage and glass breakage to hotels
and automobile windows in downtown Myrtle Beach.  The frontal boundary
stalled over eastern counties and became the focus of scattered afternoon
and evening thunderstorms over the weekend.  Western sections returned to
mostly sunny skies and fast drying.  Statewide temperatures for the period
averaged one degree above normal.

     The maximum observed temperature was 96 degrees on September 13 at
Beaufort.  The minimum observed temperature was 47 degrees at Cedar Creek
on the morning of the 8th.  The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall was
recorded at Lake Marion Spillway with 5.58" on September 14.  Statewide
rainfall for the period averaged 1.0 inches.

               Precipitation
              Period     1997         Deviation*          Temperature
Location      Total      Total        From Avg.         Maximum   Minimum   
Greer           0.73     34.7           2.6B            89        59
Charlotte, NC   0.28     33.9           2.7A            90        62
Columbia        0.33     29.8           8.9B            92        64            
Florence FAA    0.69     35.0           0.9A            91        63   
Blackville      0.88     39.9           0.8B            93        66
Augusta, GA     0.30     28.2           6.3B            92        59
Beaufort        0.20     34.1           6.7B            96        65 
Charleston      3.57     44.2           3.4A            89        65
Myrtle Beach    2.10     35.6           3.9B            89        68
*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

                        Degree Days      
                          Actual  
                        Sept. 1-14
                    Cooling   Heating              
Columbia            162       0
Charleston          157       0
Greenville          122       0           
                                                                                            
     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 84 degrees.
 

    River stages are below normal.
    Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 79
    degrees.
                                 
Fall 1997 will officially begin next Monday, September 22 at 7:56 p.m. EDT.