WEEKLY SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER 2011

April 25, 2011 - May 1, 2011

WEATHER SUMMARY:

Warm southerly winds were responsible for Cades and the Marlboro County Jetport reaching 88 degrees on Monday afternoon. A few late afternoon showers developed over the state's northwest corner. On Tuesday, showers expanded in coverage with some cells containing lightning. "Sunshowers", a phenomena when rain falls through sunshine, was observed across the Midlands. Dillon reported a 24-hour heavy rainfall amount of 1.60 inches. Ft. Moultrie measured 0.83 inches and Summerville received 0.73 inches. At 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, the Charleston City Waterfront Park reported south winds at 20 mph, gusting to 29 mph. Stormy weather swept through the state on Thursday morning. At 7:40 a.m., an EF1 tornado touched down near Ft. Motte causing light property damage. Only ten minutes later, another EF1 tornado affected the Millwood community just south of Sumter. Storm cells, with cloud tops of 55 thousand feet, produced hail and localized intense rains as they sped northeastward at 64 mph. Pelion measured 1.62 inches of rain. At 2:00 p.m., and ahead of the cold front, Myrtle Beach reported south winds of 29 mph, gusting to 38 mph. Friday arrived under clear blue skies and much cooler temperatures. On Saturday morning, Johnston recorded 45 degrees and at Walterboro, it was 50 degrees. April 2011 rainfall totals ranged from 5.15 inches at Ft. Mill to 1.57 inches at Winnsboro. Sunny, warm weather ended the week with afternoon temperatures in the upper 70's and lower 80's. The state average temperature for the seven-day period was six degrees above normal.

The highest official temperature reported was 89 degrees at Barnwell on April 26, at Columbia, Aiken and Barnwell on April 27 and at Givhans on April 30. The lowest official temperature reported was 41 degrees at Walhalla on April 30. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall reported was 1.63 inches at Aiken ending at 7:00 a.m. on April 28. The state average rainfall for the period was 0.4 inches.

PRECIPITATION:

                            Precipitation                                                      
                       Weekly   Jan 1   Departure     
                        Total   Total   from Avg
         Greer           0.08   16.72     -0.9
      Anderson           0.02   13.97     -3.2
      Columbia           0.67   12.67     -3.5
    Orangeburg           1.17   13.08     -3.0
 Charlotte, NC           0.18   12.64     -2.4
   Augusta, GA           1.08   13.80     -2.4
      Florence           1.06   12.27     -1.7
N Myrtle Beach           0.00   10.01     -3.1
    Charleston           0.03    9.78     -4.2
  Savannah, GA           0.56   11.53     -2.4
                                            
Weekly rainfall totals ending midnight Sunday.

SOIL:

4-inch depth soil temperature: Columbia 72 degrees, Charleston 75 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF:

South Carolina river stages were near normal. Ocean water temperatures at Springmaid Pier Myrtle Beach were reported at 71 degrees.