SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

     The week began with mild days and widely scattered showers.  A cold front
influenced the weather on Wednesday with cloudy skies, more showers and cooler
temperatures.  On Thursday morning, October 23, minimum temperatures fell to
below freezing for the first time this season at a few upstate locations.
Frost pockets were reported into the Piedmont.  Throughout the weekend, heavy
rains and thunderstorms developed along the frontal boundary.  Some of the
highest elevations measured rainfall totals exceeding 7 inches.  Statewide
temperatures for the period averaged 3 degrees below normal.

     The maximum observed temperature was 80 degrees on October 25 at
Sandhill, Cades and Charleston City.  The minimum observed temperature was 30
degrees at Huntsbridge on the morning of October 23.  The heaviest official
24-hour rainfall was recorded at Keowee with 6.14" on October 26.  Statewide
rainfall for the period averaged 1.2 inches.

                  Precipitation
                 Period     1997         Deviation*           Temperature
Location         Total      Total         From Avg.        Maximum    Minimum   
Greer            4.26       41.9            0.9B             71         39
Charlotte, NC    1.65       40.9            5.0A             73         39
Columbia         1.46       37.9            5.1B             78         41            
Florence FAA     1.36       40.8            3.1A             77         39   
Blackville       0.25       44.0            3.4A             75         43
Augusta, GA      1.87       38.1            0.3B             75         41
Beaufort         0.45       41.2            4.1B             77         48 
Charleston       1.66       53.0            7.5A             77         44
Myrtle Beach     0.36       42.3            3.0B             75         42
*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  
                        Oct. 1-26
                    Cooling   Heating              
Columbia              85      86
Charleston            131     38
Greenville            43      111         
                                                                                            
     Temperatures are expected to average below 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 62 degrees.

    River stages are near normal and rising.

    Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 67
degrees.