SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

     Most of the early week was sunny and mild.  Afternoon high temperatures
were in the upper 70's to mid 80's and were considered normal.  An active
cold front raced through the state on Friday, May 9, with many reports of
high winds and hail.  A line of severe thunderstorms developed over the
midlands late Friday afternoon and affected counties eastward to the coast.
Wind driven hail, up to 1 inch in size,caused broken windows.  There were
many reports of downed trees and power lines.  At East Cooper Airport in
Charleston, a wind gust of 82 mph was observed resulting in overturned
aircraft. McEntire Air National Guard observed a peak wind of 64 mph just
after 6:00 p.m.  Rainfall amounts were generally less than 0.10" with
isolated heavier totals. Sunny skies, breezy conditions and cooler weather
ended the week.  Statewide temperatures for the period averaged 4 degrees
below normal. 

     The maximum observed temperature was 88 degrees on May 9 at Holly Hill
and Williams.  The minimum observed temperature was 32 degrees at Cedar
Creek on the morning of May 11.  The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall
was recorded at Cedar Creek with 1.02" ending at 7:00 a.m. on May 10.
Statewide rainfall for the period averaged 0.1 inches.

               Precipitation
              Period     1997    Deviation*           Temperature
Location      Total      Total   From Avg.           Maximum Minimum   
Greer         0.01       19.1      0.1B                80       41
Charlotte, NC 0.31       16.4      0.5A                80       42
Columbia      0.00       15.6      2.3B                85       40            
Florence FAA  0.00       13.5      1.3B                86       40   
Blackville    0.05       15.3      2.2B                86       44
Augusta, GA   0.08       15.2      2.3B                85       39
Beaufort      0.01       14.7      0.7B                86       50 
Charleston    0.20       15.2      0.2B                86       50
Myrtle Beach  0.00       19.3      2.7A                87       45
*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 1-11
                    Cooling    Heating              
Columbia              16         24
Charleston            33         16
Greenville            7          39
                                                                                            
     Temperatures are expected to average near normal for the week.
Rainfall is expected to be near normal. The Sandhill Experiment Station in
north Columbia reports an average 4-inch depth soil temperature of 71 degrees.

    River stages are near normal. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and
Savannah will average around 70 degrees.