SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

March 24 - 30, 2003

WEATHER SUMMARY

Dry, sunny weather was observed over most of the state through Wednesday. Afternoon temperatures rose into the upper 70's and lower 80's. The absence of rain allowed swollen rivers to subside. On Thursday, light showers were reported over the eastern counties. Warming continued into Saturday with temperatures peaking in the mid-80's. Pollen counts were measured as high, due to the dry, sunny weather. Late Saturday saw a dramatic change as a sharp cold front crossed the state. Most sites reported cleansing rains and falling temperatures. As low pressure raced northeast along the coast, some freezing air was able to mix into the circulation and create light snow over the higher elevations in the upstate. Cloudy skies prevailed on Sunday with temperatures holding in the 40's. The midlands received a brief thundershower Sunday night. The average statewide temperature for the period was five degrees above normal.

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

The highest temperature reported was 87 degrees at Orangeburg on March 29. The lowest temperature was 27 degrees at Caesars Head on the morning of March 30. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall reported was 0.93" at Gaffney ending at 7:00 a.m. on March 30. The average statewide rainfall for the period was 0.3".

                    Precipitation
               Period	2003   Deviation*         Temperature
Location        Total  Total   From Avg.       Maximum   Minimum	
Greer            0.67  12.66       1.2B           77       35   	
Columbia         0.38  12.40       0.6B           83       40
Florence         0.77   8.43       2.6B	          83       38      
Charleston       0.28  10.70       0.4B           84       41
N Myrtle Beach   0.35  11.14       0.3A           75       38
Augusta, Ga.     0.16  12.74       0.4B           82       40
A=Above, B=Below                                                                       

Note: Weekly rainfall amounts are for the 24-hour period ending midnight Sunday.

SOIL

4 inch depth average soil temperature: Columbia 68 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF

South Carolina river stages were reported above normal.
Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 63 degrees.