SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

     Almost from beginning to end, high pressure dominated the period with
mostly sunny skies, cool mornings and fast drying conditions.  Friday was
the coolest morning of the season with several upstate sites dropping into
the 30's.  Over the weekend, all day sunshine and light winds sent afternoon
temperatures into the upper 80's.  Statewide temperatures for the period
averaged one degree below normal.  

     The maximum observed temperature was 91 degrees on October 5 at
Orangeburg.  The minimum observed temperature was 36 degrees at Huntsbridge
on the morning of October 3.  The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall was
recorded at Pickens with 1.65" ending at 7:00 a.m. Sunday, September 29.
Statewide rainfall for the period averaged 0.1 inches.

                  Precipitation
                 Period    1997          Deviation*     Temperature
Location         Total      Total         From Avg.    Maximum   Minimum   
Greer            0.00          37.3       2.9B         83        45
Charlotte, NC    0.00          37.0       3.5A         86        49
Columbia         0.00          34.0       6.9B         86        45            
Florence FAA     0.00          38.0       2.0A         87        49   
Blackville       0.00          40.2       1.4A         88        48
Augusta, GA      0.00          33.4       3.0B         86        47
Beaufort         0.00          39.4       4.2B         88        60 
Charleston       0.00          50.0       6.5A         85        57
Myrtle Beach     0.10          40.6       2.3B         88        56
*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

                    Degree Days      
                      Actual  
                    Sept. 1-30
                 Cooling   Heating              
Columbia           306       3
Charleston         336       0
Greenville         224       8           
                                                                                            
     Temperatures are expected to average above normal for the week.
Rainfall is expected to be near to below normal.
     The Sandhill Research and Education Center in north Columbia reports an
average 4-inch depth soil temperature of 74 degrees.

    River stages are near normal.
    Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 75
    degrees.