SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

          The week began with continuing above normal warmth and sunny days.
A blanket of pollen covered surfaces for most of the eastern two-thirds of
the state.  Because of the dry conditions, gusting winds and careless burning,
wildfire activity increased over central and northeast coastal counties.
Cloudiness and rainshowers spread over the state on Thursday, March 13 in
response to low pressure approaching from the southwest. Strong thunderstorms
early Friday morning in Charleston County produced brief tornadoes and light
damage on Sullivans Island and Awendaw.  Rainfall amounts overnight on Thurs-
day and into Friday were in the 1-2 inch range.  Saturday, March 15, was
mostly sunny and windy.  The week ended on a cold note with Sunday morning
minimum temps falling below or near freezing over central and western coun-
ties.  Statewide temperatures for the period averaged 6 degrees above normal.

    The maximum observed temperature was 86 degrees on March 11 at Holly Hill.
The minimum observed temperature was 25 degees at Greenville on the morning
of March 16.  The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall was recorded at Caesars
Head with 2.49" ending at 7:00 a.m. on March 14.  Statewide rainfall for the
period averaged 1.3".
        
                 Precipitation
               Period     1997     Deviation*             Temperature
Location       Total      Total     From Avg.          Maximum    Minimum   
Greer           0.69      12.4       1.0A                 79       29
Charlotte, NC   0.68      8.8        1.2B                 80       34
Columbia        0.73      9.9        1.2B                 82       37                     
Florence FAA    1.99      8.8        0.2B                 83       36   
Blackville      1.48      10.2       0.4B                 84       38
Augusta, GA     1.28      9.8        1.0B                 83       NA   
Beaufort        1.93      8.4        0.7B                 81       46 
Charleston      1.04      6.6        2.4B                 83       42
Myrtle Beach    1.28      9.6        0.6B                 82       38
*A=Above, B=Below                                                                       

                             Degree Days          
                               Actual  
                             Mar. 1-16
                          Cooling   Heating              
Columbia                   36         86  
Charleston                 47         53
Greenville                  6         118
                                                                                            
     Temperatures are expected to average near normal for the week.  Rainfall
is expected to be near normal. The Sandhill Experiment Station in north
Columbia reports an average 4-inch depth soil temperature of 65 degrees.

    River stages are above normal.
    Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 60
    degrees.
                                 
Spring 1997 will officially begin on Thursday, March 20 at 8:55 AM EST.