WEEKLY SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER 2008

March 10, 2008 - March 16, 2008

WEATHER SUMMARY:

Monday began with a frosty start but was quickly followed by warm temperatures. A few light showers passed through the Lowcountry on Tuesday. The stretch of near 80 degree warmth has accelerated flowering, leafing of selected deciduous trees and the production of noticeable pollen. A complex storm system swept though the state on Saturday with violent weather. National Weather Service survey teams confirmed 12 tornadoes within South Carolina borders. The Prosperity, Newberry County tornado and the Branchville, Orangeburg County tornado were both rated an Enhanced Fujita Scale 3 with estimated wind gusts of between 136-175 mph. Dismantled property included homes, churches, farms and commercial establishments. Several personal injuries required hospital visits and some livestock was lost in the event. Falling trees and blown debris caused power disruptions and traffic detours. In Iva, a community in Anderson County, hail was reported as the size of softballs. Baseball-sized hail fell on Greenwood and Beaufort counties. Sunny, seasonal weather was observed Sunday with high temperatures in the upper 60's. The state average temperature for the period was three degrees above normal.

The highest official temperature reported was 81 degrees at Orangeburg on March 13 and at Pritchardville on March 15. The lowest official temperature reported was 24 degrees at Hunts Bridge and Lake Bowen on the morning of March 10. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall reported was 2.06 inches at Springfield ending at 7:00 a.m. on March 16. The state average rainfall for the period was 0.7 inches.

PRECIPITATION:

                            
                                                                                                                        
                            Precipitation                    
                       Weekly   Jan 1  Deviation     
                        Total   Total   from Avg
         Greer           1.21    9.34     -2.2 
      Columbia           0.41    9.36     -1.6
    Orangeburg           0.75    8.42     -2.5
 Charlotte, NC           1.78    8.37     -1.5           	
   Augusta, GA           0.18   10.13     -1.0
      Florence           0.72    8.77     -0.4
N Myrtle Beach           0.43    9.21      0.0
    Charleston           0.18    7.57     -1.7    
  Savannah, GA           0.14    8.50     -0.2




Weekly rainfall totals ending midnight Sunday.  

SOIL:

4-inch depth average soil temperature: Columbia 60 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF:

South Carolina river stages were near to below normal. Ocean water temperatures at Springmaid Pier Myrtle Beach were reported at 60 degrees.

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