WEEKLY SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER 2016

February 1, 2016 - February 7, 2016

WEATHER SUMMARY:

The Monday morning low temperature of 52 degrees at the Greenville-Spartanburg AP was that locations mildest in a month. Bennettsville, Barnwell and Georgetown all warmed to an afternoon high temperature of 77 degrees. Dense fog on Tuesday morning reduced visibilities to "zero" at Shaw AFB and one-eighth-mile at McEntire ANG AP. Clemson, Aiken and Darlington reported less than one-quarter of a mile visibility. Clarks Hill, Allendale and Summerville AP all reached a warm afternoon high temperature of 79 degrees. Early blooms of the state flower, the yellow jessamine, were observed on the State House grounds in Columbia. Stormy weather arrived on Wednesday morning for the Upstate and moved east. At 9:53 a.m., Greenville Downtown AP reported heavy rain and thunder. At around 1:51 p.m., a "microburst" with surface winds estimated at 70 mph caused localized property damage in the Steedman community. Just over thirty minutes later, a short-path EFO rated tornado near the Pine Ridge Highway 21 south junction traveled through the Rail Freight Auto Storage Yard tossing and destroying cars. McEntire ANG AP measured winds gusting to 47 mph. There were multiple public reports of funnel clouds. A Richland County Emergency Services rain gage at Spring Valley High School recorded rainfall rates of 0.39 inches in 5 minutes and 1.42 inches in 25 minutes. Selected heavy rainfall amounts measured on Thursday morning included Walterboro, 3.61 inches; Springfield, 3.30 inches; Bishopville, 2.40 inches; and Sullivan's Island, 2.10 inches. The Marion Country AP near Mullins reported 25 continuous hourly observations of rain totaling 2.25 inches. Walterboro's two day total climbed to 4.31 inches. West-to-east clearing came late Thursday. Lake City reported the state's highest temperature of 74 degrees ahead of falling temperatures. On Friday morning, Sassafras Mountain reported 23 degrees. Saluda reported a near freezing 33 degrees. Dillon's Thursday high temperature of 73 degrees plunged by 35 degrees overnight to a Friday morning value of 38 degrees. Gusting north winds brought temperatures back to February averages. York noted a Friday maximum temperature of just 47 degrees. Clear, starlit skies were observed on Friday night. Saturday began at 23 degrees for Table Rock State Park, Sandy Springs and Whitmire. Orangeburg and Summerville reported a sub-freezing 30 degrees. A few showers moved north during the early afternoon hours as deepening low pressure began to position a few hundred miles east of Myrtle Beach. Areas of rain moved along the coastal zones leaving 1.13 inches at Georgetown AP. Wrap-around moisture fell through a layer of freezing air to produce brief periods of sleet in Florence and Williamsburg counties. At 2:35 p.m., the Conway AP (KHYW) reported a raw 34 degrees and blowing rain. North-northwest winds gusted to 36 mph at Springmaid Pier. Sleet was reported in Dorchester, Berkeley and Charleston counties. The USGS rain gage at Crabtree Swamp near Conway recorded continuous rain from 9:30 p.m. on Saturday to 3:15 p.m. on Sunday totaling 2.35 inches. A mostly sunny Clemson-Oconee County AP (KCEU) made it to 59 degrees while a cloudy and wind swept Mullins chilled at a Sunday high temperature of 41 degrees.

The highest official temperature reported was 81 degrees at Walterboro Lowcountry Regional AP (KRBW) on February 2. The lowest official temperature reported was 22 degrees at Walhalla on February 7. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall reported was 3.86 inches at Jocassee 8WNW ending at 7:00 a.m. on February 3. The state average rainfall for the seven-day period was 2.4 inches. The state average temperature for the seven-day period was seven degrees above the long-term average.

PRECIPITATION:

Weekly rainfall totals ending midnight Sunday.

SOIL:

4-inch depth soil temperature: Columbia 53 degrees, Charleston (NA).

RIVERS AND SURF:

South Carolina river stages were near to above normal. The Charleston Harbor Ravenel Bridge reported a water temperature of 52 degrees. Springmaid Pier at Myrtle Beach reported a surf water temperature of 50 degrees.