WEEKLY SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER 2007

February 26 - March 4, 2007

WEATHER SUMMARY:

Mild to warm weather was observed Monday through Wednesday. Afternoon high temperatures during that stretch climbed into the middle 70's. An energetic storm system began affecting the state on Thursday. High winds and heavy rains were reported across most of South Carolina into early Friday morning. At 2:41 a.m. on Friday, Columbia's Owens Field AP recorded a wind gust of 56 mph. Many trees were toppled resulting in scattered areas of power failure. A weak tornado was confirmed near New Ellington in Aiken County. Rainfall amounts over the Midlands and into the highest elevation counties ranged from between two and five inches. Sharp rises on rivers prompted flood warnings. Gusting west winds of near 30 mph on Friday afternoon helped clear skies and accelerate drying. Brisk winds continued through the weekend. Saturday's mid-60 degree high temperatures fell nearly 10 degrees for Sunday as a cooler air mass entered the state. The state average temperature for the period was three degrees above normal.

The highest official temperature reported was 80 degrees at Pritchardville on February 27. The lowest official temperature reported was 28 degrees at Lake Bowen on the morning of February 27 and at Hunts Bridge on the morning of March 4. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall reported was 4.99 inches at Table Rock ending at 7:00 a.m. on March 2. The average statewide rainfall for the period was 1.8 inches.

PRECIPITATION:

                     Precipitation
                 Weekly   Jan 1  Deviation
                 Total   Total   From Avg
Greer             2.87    9.96      0.6
Columbia          2.32    8.00     -1.1
Orangeburg        1.30    8.27     -0.8
Charlotte, NC     3.41    9.56      1.5
Augusta, GA       1.91    7.77     -1.4
Florence          1.47    5.58     -2.0
Myrtle Beach      0.52    6.25     -1.4
Charleston        0.43    6.73     -0.9
Savannah, GA      1.70    6.42     -0.9

Weekly rainfall totals ending midnight Sunday.

SOIL:

4-inch depth average soil temperature: Columbia 56 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF:

South Carolina river stages were above normal. Ocean water temperatures at Fripp Inlet were reported at 55 degrees.

As a reminder: Daylight Saving Time will begin March 11, 2007,at 2:00 a.m.

For additional information contact tylerw@dnr.sc.gov or by calling (803) 734-9100.