SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

Afternoon warmth in the low 80's was observed Monday through Friday across most of the state. Daily high temperatures averaged over 20 degrees above normal. A cold front neared South Carolina on Friday and forced the development of strong thunderstorms. High winds and hail were reported throughout the midlands.. Parts of Lexington county received excessive amounts of hail which covered the ground. Storms continued on Saturday before clearing weather on Sunday. The week ended with a sharp drop in temperatures and gusting northwest winds. Statewide temperatures for the period averaged eleven degrees above normal.

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

The maximum observed temperature was 87 degrees at Cheraw on March 8. The minimum observed temperature was 29 degrees at Caesars Head on the morning of March 12. The heaviest 24-hour rainfall reported was 1.70" at Conway ending at 7:00 a.m. on March 12. Statewide average rainfall for the period was 0.7".

                          Precipitation
                Period   2000    Deviation*                 Temperature
Location        Total    Total   From Avg.              Maximum     Minimum
Greer           0.68      6.4      4.3B                    81          34
Columbia        1.74     12.0      1.4A                    83          39
Florence        0.22      6.1      2.3B                    84          39
Charleston      0.12      6.8      1.7B                    83          43
Myrtle Beach    0.76      7.0      1.4B                    81          40
Augusta, Ga.    0.55      8.2      2.1B                    83          35

Note: Weekly rainfall amounts are for the prior 24-hrs ending 7 am Monday through ending 7 am Sunday

SOIL

4 inch depth average soil temperature: Columbia 62 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF

Most South Carolina rivers are near normal. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 58 degrees.