The week began on a wintry note with freezing precipitation making it as far east as the central midlands. Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area in the upstate reported sleet, snow and freezing rain, which caused slick roadways. Brief periods of sleet were reported across western and central counties. The best weather day of the week went to southern coastal counties on Wednesday. Sunny skies and warm winds pushed the mercury to near 80 degrees. For the remainder of the week, most of South Carolina was cloudy and wet. Sites closest to the coast reported rainshowers each day. A nearly stationary trough of low pressure was responsible for the dreary conditions. Afternoon high temperatures over inland sections were held in the 40's and 50's by the cloud cover. Statewide temperatures for the period averaged 4 degrees below normal.
PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA
The maximum observed temperature was 79 degrees on December 10 at Beaufort. The minimum observed temperature was 16 degrees at Huntsbridge and Cedar Creek on the morning of December 8. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall was recorded at Blackville with 1.64" ending at 7:00 a.m. on December 10. Statewide rainfall for the period averaged 1.0 inches.
Precipitation
Period 1997 Deviation* Temperature
Location Total Total From Avg. Maximum Minimum
Greer 0.59 47.0 1.6B 52 24
Charlotte, NC 0.54 45.6 4.4A 53 25
Columbia 0.99 44.2 3.6B 59 23
Florence FAA 0.91 45.4 3.3A 61 23
Blackville 3.72 53.9 8.8A 68 24
Augusta, GA 2.29 45.8 3.1A 67 24
Beaufort 1.07 51.2 1.6A 79 31
Charleston 0.96 57.4 7.7A 76 27
Myrtle Beach 1.62 49.5 1.0B 73 27
*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
ENERGY DEMAND AND AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY
Degree Days
Actual
Dec. 1-14
Cooling Heating
Columbia 0 281
Charleston 0 211
Greenville 0 336
Temperatures are expected to average near to below normal for the week. Rainfall is expected to be near normal.RIVERS AND SURF
River stages are near normal.
Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 53 degrees.
Winter 1997-98 will officially arrive this Sunday, Dec 21 at 3:07 P.M. EST