SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

     The New Year began with mild conditions and mostly cloudy skies.  Light 
showers were reported on Wednesday and Thursday as an almost stationary front 
positioned over the state.  As the boundary shifted north, temperatures 
responded by rising into the mid 70's.  A modified cold front entered South 
Carolina early Sunday morning, January 5, with thunderstorms.  Oconee County 
reported dime size hail and power disruptions from high winds.  Statewide 
temperatures for the period averaged  around 15 degrees above normal.

     The maximum observed temperature was 76 degrees on January  3 at 
Florence FAA and Blackville.  The minimum observed temperature was 38 degrees 
at Salem on the morning of  January 3.  The heaviest official 24 -hour 
rainfall was recorded at Walhalla with 0.75" ending at 7:00 a.m. on January 5.  
Statewide rainfall for the period  averaged  0.3".
        
                Precipitation
               Period    1997   Deviation*     Temperature
Location        Total    Total    From Avg.   Maximum Minimum   
Greer            0.51     0.5       0.1B          73       47
Charlotte, NC    0.44     0.4       0.3B          72       43
Columbia         0.30     0.3       0.4B          75       46                     
Florence 8 NE    0.18     0.2       0.5B          75       42   
Blackville       0.05     0.1       0.6B          76       47
Augusta, GA      0.24     0.2       0.4B          76       50   
Beaufort           NA      NA         NA          NA       NA      
Charleston       0.16     0.2       0.4B          72       47
Myrtle Beach     0.32     0.3       0.3B          75       43
*A=Above, B=Below                                                                       

               Degree Days              
                  Actual  
               Jan. 1-5
             Cooling   Heating              
Columbia        0         21
Charleston      0         21
Greenville      0         34
                                                                                            
     Temperatures are expected to average near to below normal for the week.  
Rainfall is expected to be near normal. Columbia Airport reports average soil 
temperature at a 4-inch depth of 58 degrees.

    River stages are near normal.
    Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 53 
    degrees.