The week started with a cold and wet day for much of the state. At 1:00 p.m., Shaw AFB in Sumter reported drizzle, 41 degrees and northeast winds of 17 mph. Sandy Run's high temperature only made it to 44 degrees. During the 24-hour period ending Tuesday morning, Barnwell measured 0.76 inches of rain. Chester and Rock Hill recorded a Tuesday morning freeze of 31 degrees. Another round of localized heavy rain affected the Upstate and by Wednesday morning Jocassee Dam had measured 0.89 inches in their gage. Stormy weather spread east during the daylight hours on Wednesday with occasional lightning for the Midlands and across the Lowcountry. Edisto Beach received 1.20 inches in passing thunderstorms. Unsettled weather continued into Thursday evening. Florence and Sandy Run recorded a 24-hour rainfall amount of 0.82 inches. At the end of March, Jocassee had received 16.68 inches of rain while Jamestown only 3.46 inches. Colder temperatures and dry air moved into the mountains Friday morning and slowly spread southeast. Surface winds gusted to 39 mph at the Columbia AP on Saturday during the frontal pass. The Charleston AP and Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station both managed to warm up to 74 degrees Saturday afternoon, ahead of the boundary. On Sunday morning, the Marlboro County Jetport reported 32 degrees for a minimum temperature. Diminishing winds and bright sunshine allowed for a fast return to milder conditions on Sunday afternoon. Aiken and Clemson AP warmed to 79 degrees. The state average temperature for the seven-day period was six degrees below normal.
The highest official temperature reported was 80 degrees at Columbia Metro AP and Walhalla on April 3. The lowest official temperature reported was 29 degrees at Chesterfield and Pelion on March 29. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall reported was 1.50 inches at Summerville ending at 7:00 a.m. on March 29. The state average rainfall for the period was 1.6 inches.
PRECIPITATION:
Precipitation
Weekly Jan 1 Departure
Total Total from Avg
Greer 1.14 13.48 -0.9
Anderson 1.12 11.67 -2.4
Columbia 1.66 9.91 -3.6
Orangeburg 1.76 10.19 -3.3
Charlotte, NC 1.29 9.32 -3.0
Augusta, GA 1.81 11.87 -1.7
Florence 2.39 8.87 -2.6
N Myrtle Beach 1.61 9.31 -2.0
Charleston 1.33 7.78 -3.7
Savannah, GA 2.05 10.18 -0.7
Weekly rainfall totals ending midnight Sunday.
SOIL:
4-inch depth soil temperature: Columbia 61 degrees, Charleston 2 degrees.
RIVERS AND SURF:
South Carolina river stages were near normal. Ocean water temperatures at Springmaid Pier Myrtle Beach were reported at 59 degrees.
