SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

Mostly sunny weather occurred throughout the work week and was accompanied with above normal temperatures. Widespread fog was reported Friday morning with visibilities limited to 1/16th to 1/4 mile. A strong, southerly push of moist tropical air set the stage Friday for heavy rains ahead of an approaching front. Prior to the wet weather's arrival, afternoon temperatures on Friday warmed as high as 80 degrees at several sites. Saturday was a rainy, stormy day for all of South Carolina. Thunderstorms produced damaging high winds over central counties. Eastern sections measured rainfall amounts between 2 and 4 inches. Brisk westerly winds helped clear skies on Sunday. Statewide temperatures for the week averaged fifteen degrees above normal.

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

The maximum observed temperature was 81 degrees on January 22 at Kingstree and Florence. The minimum observed temperature was 5 degrees at Cedar Creek on the morning of January 25. The heaviest 24-hour rainfall was 4.00 inches at Kingstree ending 7:00 a.m. on January 24. Statewide rainfall for the period averaged 2.5 inches.

                 Precipitation
                Period     1999     Deviation*        Temperature
Location        Total      Total     From Avg.     Maximum   Minimum   
Greer           1.08       3.4        0.3A           67        33 
Charlotte, NC   1.12       3.8        1.0A           72        32 
Columbia        1.88       3.9        0.5A           78        35    
Florence FAA    3.58       7.0        4.2A           81        38 
Blackville      3.39       5.4        2.2A           79        32
Augusta, GA     2.55       5.0        1.9A           77        31 
Beaufort        2.41       3.4        0.6A           80        42 
Charleston AP   2.87       4.7        2.0A           80        38

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  
               January  1-24
             Cooling   Heating             
Columbia        2        416
Charleston      8        308
Greenville      0        510

RIVERS AND SURF

Rivers are above normal.
Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 54 degrees.