WEEKLY SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER 2009

September 21, 2009 - September 27, 2009

WEATHER SUMMARY:

Flooding rains fell within Oconee County through Monday morning. Both Long Creek and Walhalla reported roadway closures and detours. The Walhalla Hatchery (Jocassee) measured an event total of 17.50 inches of rain during the six-day stretch. Lake Jocassee's September 19 stage of 80.5 feet rose over nine feet by September 23. Afternoon sunshine returned Tuesday for saturated, high elevation counties. At the same time, parts of Horry County were being soaked by rains accompanying an onshore-moving tropical wave. The Crabtree Swamp gage near Conway measured 2.29 inches. Although the official start of autumn began Tuesday afternoon, the 90-degree heat ignored the calendar. Isolated, short duration showers fell over eastern South Carolina Wednesday and Thursday. Hot, humid conditions were observed on Friday ahead of a southward moving cold front. Walterboro, Bamberg, Bishopville, Barnwell and McEntire AP all recorded 94 degrees. Localized thunderstorms brought heavy rains again to the mountains and foothills. Gaffney received 3.01 inches. Pageland's Friday high temperature of 88 degrees was tempered by Saturday's cloudy skies and northeast winds resulting in only a 68 degree high temperature. Scattered rains, some with thunder, fell Saturday evening and into early Sunday morning. Mostly sunny, breezy conditions were observed during Sunday's daylight hours. The state average temperature for the period was five degrees above normal.

The highest official temperature reported was 96 degrees at Camden on September 25. The lowest official temperature reported was 55 degrees at Caesars Head on September 27. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall reported was 8.38 inches at Walhalla ending at 7:00 a.m. on September 21. The state average rainfall for the period was 1.6 inches.

PRECIPITATION:

                            
                           Precipitation                    
                       Weekly   Jan 1   Departure     
                        Total   Total   from Avg
         Greer           3.52   33.23     -5.1
      Anderson           2.48   35.39     -0.1 
      Columbia           1.61   34.60     -4.2
    Orangeburg           0.88   31.73     -7.0
 Charlotte, NC           0.45   32.47     -0.5
   Augusta, GA           0.92   30.90     -4.3
      Florence           0.82   27.52     -7.9
N Myrtle Beach           2.56   27.73     -7.9
    Charleston           0.48   40.95     -1.1
  Savannah, GA           0.41   44.69      3.8   

 






  
                            





Weekly rainfall totals ending midnight Sunday.

SOIL:

4-inch depth soil temperature: Columbia 77 degrees, Charleston 80 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF:

South Carolina river stages were near to above normal. Ocean water temperatures at Springmaid Pier Myrtle Beach were reported at 85 degrees.