SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

Dec. 22-28, 1997


WEATHER SUMMARY

Rainy weather was the story for the week. Several low pressure systems progressed west to east along the southern jet stream positioned near South Carolina. Most observation sites measured over 3 inches of rain for the period. Rivers within the state responded with rapid rises and stages near or above flood. Christmas day was the exception as sunny skies and mild temperatures were reported. Counties near the coast recorded afternoon high temperatures in the low to mid 70's. Showers returned on Saturday. Sunday was cloudy and cool with high temperatures only in the 40's. Statewide temperatures for the period averaged one degree above normal.

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

The maximum observed temperature was 74 degrees on December 25 at Beaufort and Charleston City. The minimum observed temperature was 17 degrees at Hunts Bridge on the morning of December 28. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall was recorded at Calhoun Falls with 2.53" ending at 7:00 a.m. on December 25. Statewide rainfall for the period averaged 3.5 inches.

                 Precipitation
                Period     1997         Deviation*         Temperature
Location        Total      Total         From Avg.     Maximum      Minimum   
Greer           2.84       49.9            0.9B          61           24
Charlotte, NC   2.82       48.4            5.7A          62           27
Florence FAA    3.06       48.4            4.9A          68           30   
Blackville      4.43       58.8           12.1A          69           25 
Augusta, GA     4.44       50.2            5.9A          66           27
Beaufort        2.34       53.9            2.9A          74           36 
Charleston      3.96       61.4           10.2A          72           33
Myrtle Beach    2.98       52.5            0.3A          73           36
*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. 1-28
                    Cooling   Heating              
Columbia               0        521
Charleston             0        399
Greenville             0        614         
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 43 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF

River stages are above normal and rising. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 51 degrees.


sco@water.dnr.state.sc.us
http://water.dnr.state.sc.us/climate/sco/weekly/wk122897.html