Clear skies and the rumble of, not thunder, but a mild earthquake greeted early risers on Monday. The 3.9 magnitude tremor centered near Bethune caused no apparent damage. Cloudy conditions and showers were reported on Tuesday. Afternoon temperatures climbed into the 80's on Thursday as warm air lifted north. Thunderstorms were observed before sunrise on Friday and again on Saturday morning. Flooding rains of over 4 inches, hail, and wind damage was reported in the upstate on Friday. A cold front entered the state on Sunday, collided with unstable air, produced thunderstorms and at least 3 incidences of minor tornadoes. Statewide temperatures for the week averaged 3 degrees above normal.
PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA
The maximum observed temperature was 86 degrees on April 16 at Jamestown. The minimum observed temperature was 28 degrees at Hunts Bridge on the morning of April 13. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall was recorded at Anderson with 4.60" ending at 7:00 a.m. on April 17. Statewide rainfall for the period averaged 2.2 inches.
Precipitation
Period 1998 Deviation* Temperature
Location Total Total From Avg. Maximum Minimum
Greer 2.68 24.7 8.3A 80 39
Charlotte, NC 1.34 17.8 4.1A 78 44
Columbia 2.20 22.6 7.1A 81 42
Florence FAA 1.80 21.4 7.5A 83 43
Blackville 2.02 23.9 9.0A 80 40
Augusta, GA 1.72 25.4 10.3A 79 39
Beaufort 0.87 26.6 13.7A 82 47
Charleston 0.42 26.7 13.9A 83 43
Myrtle Beach 2.00 29.0 15.0A 74 44
*A=Above, B=Below
Note: Weekly rainfall amounts are for the prior 24-hrs ending 7:00 a.m. Monday through ending 7:00 a.m. Sunday
ENERGY DEMAND AND AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY
Degree Days
Actual
April 1-19
Cooling Heating
Columbia 36 64
Charleston 51 46
Greenville 15 114
Temperatures are expected to average near normal for the week. Rainfall is expected to be near normal.RIVERS AND SURF
Rivers are above normal and rising.
Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 63 degrees.