SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

A ridge of high pressure provided South Carolina with drier air and slightly below-normal temperatures to start the week. The sprawling circulation around Hurricane Floyd began to affect mainly the low country and coastal areas of the state by late Tuesday with the midlands and upstate enjoying another day of ample sunshine. Even though Hurricane Floyd spared South Carolina a direct hit, hurricane force winds and flooding rains were reported from Charleston to Horry counties. Over sixteen inches of rain fell on portions of Horry County forcing the Waccamaw River out of its banks and into the homes and businesses of many Conway residents. The weekend began with a return of sunny skies and seasonable temperatures. By late Sunday all eyes were turned to Tropical Storm Harvey in the Gulf of Mexico as clouds and moisture started to spread northward. Statewide temperatures for the period averaged two degrees below normal.

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

The maximum observed temperature was 94 degrees on September 14 at Columbia. The minimum observed temperature was 42 degrees at Walhalla and Cedar Creek on the morning of September 18. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall was recorded at North Myrtle Beach with 16.00" ending on September 16. Statewide rainfall for the period averaged 1.8 inches.

                     Precipitation
                   Period    1999      Deviation*         Temperature
Location            Total    Total      From Avg.       Maximum Minimum   
                                                                                               Greer                 0.00          22.2          15.6B                                   87        53
Charlotte, NC       0.73     23.7         8.0B             86      48
Columbia            0.94     23.4        15.9B             94      51            
Florence FAA        4.04     29.7         4.5B             85      53           
Blackville          1.04     30.0         7.2B             90      49
Augusta, GA         0.06     27.6         7.3B             90      53
Beaufort            2.36     37.7         3.7B             88      65
Charleston          4.15     29.4        12.2B             87      60
Myrtle Beach       16.00     31.8         7.6A             87      59

Note: Weekly rainfall amounts are for the prior 24-hrs ending 7 am Monday through ending 7 am Sunday

ENERGY DEMAND AND AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY

                Degree Days
                  Actual  
               September 1-20
             Cooling   Heating              
Columbia      198         0
Charleston    223         0
Greenville    192         0          

RIVERS AND SURF

Most rivers are below normal except in the Northeast section of the state. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 78 degrees.