SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

     The week began with afternoon high temperatures in the upper 80's and
low 90's.  Late season Canadian high pressure replaced the warmth on Tuesday,
May 27, with  cool northeasterly winds, clouds, showers, and temperatures
nearly 20 degrees below normal. On Wednesday, Beaufort, Charleston Airport
and City sites set records for low maximum temperatures.  Gradual warming
followed into the weekend.  On Saturday, strong thunderstorms were observed
across the north midlands.  Nearly six inches of rain were reported in a two
hour period at Lake Murray.  Hail, high winds, flash flooding and reports of
funnel clouds accompanied the storm. Sunday's weather was a mix of sunshine,
clouds, and widely scattered showers.  The Greer National Weather Service
noted measurable rain each day of the week.  Statewide temperatures for the
period averaged four degrees below normal.

     The maximum observed temperature was 93 degrees on May 26 at Holly Hill.
The minimum observed temperature was 41 degrees at Johnston on the morning of
May 28.  The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall was recorded at Lake Murray
with 5.82" ending at 7:00 a.m. on June 1.  Statewide rainfall for the period
averaged 1.1 inches.

                Precipitation
              Period     1997    Deviation*         Temperature
Location      Total      Total   From Avg.        Maximum Minimum   
Greer         1.76       21.1     1.2B              87      53
Charlotte, NC 0.11       16.7     1.9B              89      54
Columbia      0.19       16.0     4.5B              91      58            
Florence FAA  0.36       14.6     2.8B              91      55   
Blackville    1.19       16.7     3.5B              90      52
Augusta, GA   0.22       15.7     4.3B              90      57
Beaufort      0.82       16.9     1.2B              88      55 
Charleston    0.37       16.2     1.6B              88      58
Myrtle Beach  0.19       20.4     0.8A              88      53
*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 1-31
                    Cooling   Heating              
Columbia             130        31
Charleston           156        20
Greenville           70         73
                                                                                            
     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 78 degrees.

    River stages are near to below normal. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach
and Savannah will average around 73 degrees.