SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

May 14 - 20, 2001

WEATHER SUMMARY

After a cool start Monday with 50 degree temperatures, the trend through Saturday was dry and hot. On both Friday and Saturday, sites in central South Carolina observed summer-like heat in the mid-90's. Scattered thundershowers increased over the weekend as southerly winds helped bring in moisture. By late in the day on Sunday, rains were providing welcomed relief from the heat and ongoing drought. Statewide temperatures for the period averaged four degrees above normal.

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

The highest temperature was 96 degrees at Allendale and Johnston on May 19. The lowest temperature was 39 degrees at Lake Bowen on May 14. The heaviest 24-hour rainfall was 0.36" at West Pelzer ending at 7:00 a.m. on May 19. The average statewide rainfall for the period was 0.0".

                      Precipitation
               Period    2001  Deviation*             Temperature
Location        Total   Total   From Avg.          Maximum    Minimum	
Greer            0.13   13.50       7.0B              91         52                            	              		
Columbia         0.05   12.63       6.2B              95         53
Florence         0.00    8.26       7.6B              95         52	        
Charleston       0.03   11.09       4.9B              94         56   
N Myrtle Beach   0.01   11.92       3.9B              90         50
Augusta, Ga.     0.23   13.94       4.7B              95         48
*A=Above, B=Below                                                                       
                                             
  

Note: Weekly rainfall amounts are for the prior 24-hrs ending 7 am Monday through ending 7 am Sunday.

SOIL

4 inch depth average soil temperature: Columbia 80 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF

South Carolina river stages were near to below normal.
Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 74 degrees.