SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

     Strong thunderstorms over mostly northwest counties began the week
and produced multiple reports of hail with some as large as golf balls.
Rainfall event totals were greatest along coastal counties with Edisto
Island reporting an event total of 5.98".  On Wednesday morning widespread
fog was common across the state with visibilities at some sites reduced to
1/16th of a mile. Sunny, warm weather returned on Thursday and Friday with
afternoon temperatures in the 80's.  On Saturday, May 3, an active cold front
moved through South Carolina.  Moist, southerly winds, well ahead of the
boundary helped develop heavy rainshowers from early Saturday well into the
afternoon. During the late afternoon hours on Saturday, severe storms formed
over the eastern counties. Hail and high winds caused light property damage,
downed trees, and power disruptions.  Hail was observed as large as 1.75" in
Dorchester County.  The week ended on a sunny, breezy day and afternoon
temperatures running around 10 degrees below normal. Statewide temperatures
for the period averaged 4 degrees below normal across central midlands and
westward to normal along the coastal plain. 

     The maximum observed temperature was 87 degrees on May 3 at Williams.
The minimum observed temperature was 38 degrees at Cedar Creek on the morning
of May 2.  The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall was recorded at Sullivans
Island with 4.20" ending at 7:00 a.m. on April 29.  Statewide rainfall for
the period averaged 3.4 inches.

                  Precipitation
               Period     1997    Deviation*          Temperature
Location       Total      Total   From Avg.        Maximum   Minimum   
Greer          2.30       19.1    1.7A               81       45
Charlotte, NC  2.47       16.1    1.0A               82       51
Columbia       2.05       15.6    1.5B               82       44            
Florence FAA   1.89       13.5    0.6B               80       45   
Blackville     3.46       15.2    1.4B               83       47
Augusta, GA    2.86       15.2    1.5B               84       41
Beaufort       3.46       4.7     0.2A               83       57 
Charleston     5.00       15.0    0.9B               85       50
Myrtle Beach   4.55       19.3    3.7A               77       54
*A=Above, B=Below                                                                       
                                   
Note: Weekly rainfall amounts are for the prior 24-hrs ending 7 am Monday
through ending 7 am Sunday

                        Degree Days      
                          Actual  
                        May 1-4 
                    Cooling   Heating              
Columbia               5       8 
Charleston             18      4 
Greenville             2       11
                                                                                            
     Temperatures are expected to average near normal for the week.
Rainfall is expected to be near to above normal. The Sandhill Experiment
Station in north Columbia reports an average 4-inch depth soil temperature
of 66 degrees.

    Several rivers are at flood stage. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and
Savannah will average around 67 degrees.