SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

Cool mornings and sunny, warm afternoons were observed on Monday and Tuesday. Increasing clouds and a few showers occurred on Wednesday ahead of a front approaching from the northwest. Thursday was a stormy day with hail and damaging high winds. Thunderstorm winds over the midlands toppled trees and shattered automobile windows. Columbia Airport noted a wind gust of 71 mph. The damage path continued east across the north midlands exiting near Myrtle Beach. Outdoor signs were blown down, rooftops were separated and several light structures were dismantled by the high winds. Hail up to 1.75 inches in diameter accompanied the severe weather. Isolated storms on Friday were limited to portions of the upstate. Most of South Carolina enjoyed a beautiful mid-spring weekend with afternoon high temperatures in the 80's. Statewide temperatures for the week averaged near normal.

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

The maximum observed temperature was 88 degrees on May 6 at Williams and Cades. The minimum observed temperature was 38 degrees at Cedar Creek on the morning of May 3. The heaviest 24-hour rainfall was 2.60 inches at Orangeburg ending at 7:00 a.m. on May 7. Statewide rainfall for the period averaged 0.7 inches.

          
                              Precipitation
                   Period   1999      Deviation       Temperature
Location           Total    Total     From Avg.*   Maximum    Minimum     
Greer              0.92     14.2        4.8B         82         43 
Charlotte, NC      0.22     11.9        3.8B         81         40 
Columbia           0.61     13.3        4.3B         85         44    
Florence FAA       0.50     18.7        4.1A         84         47 
Blackville         0.81     17.0        0.2B         86         41
Augusta, GA        0.60     13.5        3.8B         86         41 
Beaufort           0.66     12.1        2.9B         84         53 
Charleston AP      0.12     12.7        2.0B         85         49
Myrtle Beach       0.21     12.7        0.5B         76         52

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  
                    May 1-9
                Cooling   Heating             
Columbia        31            14
Charleston      na            na
Greenville      14             5

RIVERS AND SURF

River stages are normal. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 66 degrees.