SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

     Sunny skies under high pressure continued a pattern into the
Thanksgiving holiday.  On Tuesday morning low temperatures fell into the
lower and mid twenties across the western half of the state.  Frost was
reported at most sites except for southern counties.  During midweek, surface
winds shifted allowing for milder temperatures.  Near normal conditions were
reported on Thanksgiving Thursday.  Increasing clouds on Friday preceded rain
and thunderstorms which occurred over the weekend.  A few storms caused
wind damage.  Slow clearing began late in the day on Sunday.  Statewide
temperatures for the period averaged near normal.

     The maximum observed temperature was 77 degrees on November 28 at
Williams and Beaufort.  The minimum observed temperature was 19 degrees at
Huntsbridge on the morning of November 25.  The heaviest official 24-hour
rainfall was recorded at Union with 3.00" ending at 7:00 a.m. on November 30.
Statewide rainfall for the period averaged 0.6 inches.

                  Precipitation
                 Period     1997     Deviation*     Temperature
Location         Total      Total    From Avg.    Maximum   Minimum   
Greer            0.20       45.8       1.3B         66        27
Charlotte, NC    0.61       44.7       5.1A         67        29
Columbia         1.32       43.2       3.1B         70        27            
Florence FAA     0.93       44.2       3.5A         70        27   
Blackville       0.97       50.1       6.6A         73        28
Augusta, GA      0.98       43.4       2.2B         71        28
Beaufort         0.83       50.1       1.9B         77        39 
Charleston       0.45       56.4       8.0A         75        32
Myrtle Beach     1.00       47.6       1.2B         71        33
*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  
                        Nov. 1-30
                    Cooling   Heating              
Columbia              0       428
Charleston            7       303
Greenville            0       538         
                                                                                            
     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 57 degrees.

    River stages are near normal.
    Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 60
    degrees.