SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

Cloudy skies and rainshowers were observed early in the week. Monday afternoon high temperatures rose into the lower 80's but cloud cover dropped high temperatures into the 60's and 70's on Tuesday and Wednesday. Sunny weather returned on Friday though most of the forecast interest was focused on Hurricane Irene approaching from the south. By Saturday morning clouds and increasing northeast winds were being reported along the southern coast. While central sections of the state enjoyed sunny warm conditions on Saturday coastal counties experienced heavy rainfall rotating in from the Atlantic. Although Irene passed well offshore and east of the beaches, blowing rains totaling around four inches caused localized flooding. By the end of the afternoon on Sunday skies were beginning to clear. Statewide temperatures for the period averaged four degrees above normal.

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

The maximum observed temperature was 86 degrees on October 11 at Allendale. The minimum observed temperature was 46 degrees at Chesterfield on the morning of October 15. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall was recorded at N. Myrtle Beach AP with 4.10" on October 17. Statewide rainfall for the period averaged 1.9 inches.

                 Precipitation
                Period     1999         Deviation*      Temperature
Location        Total      Total         From Avg.    Maximum   Minimum   
Greer            0.28       30.1          11.6B         79         55
Charlotte, NC    1.91       31.1           3.8B         78         48
Columbia         1.22       27.5          14.6B         81         55            
Florence FAA     4.01       37.3           0.2A         81         52           
Blackville       1.39       34.5           5.3B         83         47
Augusta, GA      2.18       34.6           3.0B         81         58
Beaufort         1.65       42.1           2.6B         81         64
Charleston       4.48       40.6           4.1B         83         59
Myrtle Beach     3.90       55.8          11.4A         80         52

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 temperatures: Clemson 70 degrees. Columbia 72 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF

Flooding continues on the Little Pee Dee and Wacamaw Rivers. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 72 degrees.