SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

September 18-24, 2000


WEATHER SUMMARY

Tropical rainfalls from decaying named storms started and ended the week. Gordon passed across the state on Monday causing flooding rains over coastal counties. Several sites measured over eight inches of rain. Partly sunny weather followed with 80 degree afternoons and upper 60 degree mornings. On Friday, the remnants of Helene tracked northeast from Florida's panhandle with the second round of heavy rains and severe storms. Allendale was hit with a tornado that destroyed homes and was blamed on one death and multiple injuries. A wide path of three to six inch rains produced flash flooding before the system exited the state early Saturday morning. Slow clearing was observed by Saturday afternoon with bright sunshine and humid conditions. Ninety degree temperatures, in advance of an approaching cold front Sunday afternoon, added fuel to scattered thunderstorms which developed after dark. Statewide temperatures for the period averaged one degree above normal.

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

The maximum observed temperature was 96 degrees at Orangeburg on September 24. The heaviest 24-hour rainfall was reported at McClellanville with 8.80" on September 18. The minimum observed temperature was unavailable for the period. Statewide average rainfall for the period was 2.1".


			Precipitation
		Period	2000	Deviation*          Temperature
Location	Total	Total	From Avg.	Maximum      Minimum	
Greer            2.29    28.6    10.1B           90             57
Columbia         2.90    31.8     8.0B           91             62            
Florence         4.00    32.1     2.9B           89             62 	        
Charleston       2.76    40.6     1.7B           91             65
N Myrtle Beach   8.24    47.6     8.2A           89             64 
Augusta, Ga.     3.26    32.1     3.3B           92             60
*A=Above, B=Below                                                                       


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

SOIL

4 inch depth average soil temperature: Columbia 76 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF

South Carolina rivers stages are rising. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 77 degrees.


sco@water.dnr.state.sc.us
http://water.dnr.state.sc.us/climate/sco/weekly/wk092400.html