A deep layer of freezing air covered the state on both Monday and Tuesday. The highest barometric pressure observed was 30.72 inches of mercury at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday morning at the Darlington AP. A rapid shift in surface winds on Wednesday replaced the dry, winter air with warming, moist conditions. The southernmost counties enjoyed afternoon temperatures in the 70's. Showers were concentrated across the state's highest elevations. On Christmas Day, Charleston AP and nearby Summerville recorded 80 degrees under a mix of clouds and sunshine. A boundary of cooler air edged into the Upstate Friday with another round of showers. An extended period of dense fog was observed on Saturday for most locations away from the immediate coast. Unseasonably warm weather continued through the weekend with occasional light rains. Conway, Georgetown, and Myrtle Beach all recorded 79 degrees on Sunday afternoon. Table Rock received rainfall on five of the seven days, totaling 1.58 inches. The state average temperature for the period was six degrees above normal.
The highest official temperature reported was 80 degrees at Charleston AP and Summerville on December 25 and at Jamestown, Pritchardville, and the Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station on December 28. The lowest official temperature reported was 14 degrees at Longcreek on December 22. The heaviest 24-hour rainfall reported was 0.83 inches at Table Rock ending at 7:00 a.m. on December 25. The state average rainfall for the period was 0.2 inches.
Precipitation
Weekly Jan 1 Departure
Total Total from Avg
Greer 0.38 38.03 -11.8
Columbia 0.21 44.27 -3.6
Orangeburg 0.61 43.83 -3.2
Charlotte, NC 0.15 42.21 -1.0
Augusta, GA 0.07 43.73 -0.5
Florence 0.02 50.07 5.7
N Myrtle Beach 0.01 50.42 5.1
Charleston 0.00 47.29 -3.9
Savannah, GA 0.00 47.30 -2.0
Weekly rainfall totals ending midnight Sunday.
4-inch depth average soil temperature: Columbia 57 degrees.
South Carolina river stages were near normal. Ocean water temperatures at Springmaid Pier Myrtle Beach were reported at 54 degrees.
