Monday was another hot day in a long summer with several locations reporting high temperatures in the 100's. Overcast skies on Wednesday signaled the approaching circulation of once hurricane Earl, which had land-falled along Florida's northwest coast. Rains began just after daybreak on Thursday morning. By midday heavy rain was falling over central counties. Tornadoes developed in storms over Beaufort and Berkeley counties causing extensive damage. Wind gusts of 50 and 60 mph were observed as the center passed. Widespread power outages were the result of falling trees and limbs. Localized flooding disrupted traffic and contributed to hundreds of accidents. Clearing conditions returned on Friday and followed into the Labor Day holiday weekend. Temperatures for the period averaged two degrees above normal.
PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA
The maximum observed temperature was 103 degrees on August 31 at Allendale. The minimum observed temperature was 55 degrees at Hunts Bridge on the morning of September 2. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall was recorded at Pelion with 7.10 inches ending at 7:00 a.m. on September 4. Statewide rainfall for the period averaged 3.9 inches.
Precipitation
Period 1998 Deviation* Temperature
Location Total Total From Avg. Maximum Minimum
Greer 2.30 40.6 4.3A 95 66
Charlotte, NC 3.07 33.4 3.2A 92 64
Columbia 5.24 41.5 3.9A 96 66
Florence FAA 2.16 37.6 4.5A 97 66
Blackville 6.08 42.9 7.1A 101 60
Augusta, GA E8.10 44.5 10.9A 100 63
Beaufort 2.10 42.9 3.6A 99 71
Charleston AP 2.60 49.1 9.7A 96 68
Myrtle Beach 2.95 50.5 12.2A 89 61
*A=Above, B=Below, E=Estimate
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
September 1-6
Cooling Heating
Columbia 102 0
Charleston 108 0
Greenville 91 0
Temperatures are expected to average below 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 82 degrees.
RIVERS AND SURF
Rivers are near normal. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 81 degrees.
sco@water.dnr.state.sc.us http://water.dnr.state.sc.us/climate/sco/weekly/wk090898.html