SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

Dry, blistering heat was observed from the mountains to the beaches in just the first full week of summer. Strong, yet isolated storms produced hail and high winds on Wednesday, but brought little relief to the statewide lack of rain. Air quality along southern counties was rated very poor due to smoke drift from fires across Florida. Afternoon temperatures exceeding 100 degrees were reported somewhere in the state on each day. The heat has placed serious water and cooling demands on agriculture, livestock, forestry and utilities. The period ended much like it began. On Sunday at 3:00 p.m., Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station observed an air temperature of 100 degrees, calm winds and a heat index value of 121. Temperatures for the period averaged seven degrees above normal.

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

The maximum observed temperature was 104 degrees on June 27 at Columbia, Jamestown, Sandhill, Allendale and Orangeburg. The minimum observed temperature was 54 degrees at Hunts Bridge on the morning of June 23. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall was recorded at Hunts Bridge with 0.89 inches ending at 7:00 a.m. on June 23. Statewide rainfall for the period averaged 0.2 inches.

                Precipitation
                Period     1998    Deviation*      Temperature
Location        Total      Total    From Avg.   Maximum     Minimum   
Greer           0.39       32.7       6.1A      97          65
Charlotte, NC   0.00       23.7       2.1A      100         69
Columbia        0.00       28.8       3.1A      104         70    
Florence FAA    0.87       29.3       8.0A      103         70   
Blackville      1.02       30.0       4.9A      102         63
Augusta, GA     0.00       31.5       7.6       103         69
Beaufort        0.00       31.8       8.2A      100         75
Charleston AP   0.01       34.3      10.5A      99          74
Myrtle Beach    0.00       34.2      10.2A      99          74
*A=Above, B=Below                                                                       

ENERGY DEMAND AND AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY

                  Degree Days      
                    Actual  
                  June 1-28 
                Cooling   Heating             
Columbia        479       0
Charleston      511       0
Greenville      348       3

Temperatures are expected to average above 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 88 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF

Rivers are near to below normal.
Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 83 degrees.