Memorial Day Monday was sunny and hot. Afternoon temperatures climbed into the mid and upper 90's. On Wednesday, strong thunderstorms developed across northwestern and northeastern counties. Hail, high winds and brief street flooding were observed. Pan evaporation rates peaked Wednesday with the Sandhill Experiment Station in northeast Columbia measuring a 24 hour loss of 0.53 inches. Slow moving, scattered storms produced welcomed rains on Thursday though most sites remained dry. A few convective late afternoon and evening thunderstorms were noted on Saturday. The week ended under sunny, humid conditions. Temperatures for the period averaged seven degrees above normal.
PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA
The maximum observed temperature was 98 degrees on May 25 at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. The minimum observed temperature was 55 degrees at Hunts Bridge on the morning of May 27. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall was recorded at Caesars Head with 3.32 inches ending at 7:00 a.m. on May 29. Statewide rainfall for the period averaged 0.5 inches.
Precipitation
Period 1998 Deviation* Temperature
Location Total Total From Avg. Maximum Minimum
Greer 0.28 28.9 6.8A 90 64
Charlotte, NC 0.31 20.3 1.8A 93 69
Columbia 0.52 25.8 5.4A 95 70
Florence FAA 1.12 25.8 8.6A 97 70
Blackville NA NA NA NA NA
Augusta, GA 0.08 29.2 9.10A 96 67
Beaufort 0.03 29.6 11.7A 95 72
Charleston AP 0.09 31.9 14.1A 93 70
Myrtle Beach 0.48 32.3 12.9A 93 70
*A=Above, B=Below
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 1-31
Cooling Heating
Columbia 318 1
Charleston 324 0
Greenville 220 15
Temperatures are expected to average near normal for the week. Rainfall
is expected to be near normal.
The Sandhill Research and Education Center in north Columbia reports an
average 4-inch depth soil temperature of 80 degrees.
RIVERS AND SURF
Rivers are near to below normal. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 77 degrees.