For at least the third consecutive week, no rain was reported. Daytime high temperatures in the 80's combined with cool mornings in the 40's Monday through Sunday. Fall colors across high elevation sites were said to be peaking. With only 0.04 inches of rain for the month of October, Florence Airport entered the record book as the third driest October in 100 years. Due to the prolonged dry conditions, the South Carolina Forestry Commission issued a Red Flag Alert for 14 counties in northeastern South Carolina. Temperatures for the period averaged seven degrees above normal.
PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA
The maximum observed temperature was 89 degrees on October 30 at Orangeburg. The minimum observed temperature was 33 degrees at Cedar Creek on the morning of October 27. Statewide rainfall for the period averaged 0.0 inches.
Precipitation
Period 1998 Deviation* Temperature
Location Total Total From Avg. Maximum Minimum
Greer 0.00 45.3 1.8A 81 42
Charlotte, NC 0.00 35.5 1.0B 80 37
Columbia 0.00 43.1 0.5B 85 40
Florence FAA 0.00 38.4 0.1A 86 42
Blackville 0.00 45.1 4.0A 87 42
Augusta, GA 0.00 45.7 6.9A 86 37
Beaufort 0.05 50.4 4.5A 85 51
Charleston AP 0.00 63.2 17.3A 82 46
Myrtle Beach 0.00 54.7 9.1A 85 47
*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
October 1-31
Cooling Heating
Columbia 92 66
Charleston 159 38
Greenville 51 94
Temperatures are expected to average near 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 70 degrees.
RIVERS AND SURF
Rivers are below normal. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 69 degrees.
sco@water.dnr.state.sc.us http://water.dnr.state.sc.us/climate/sco/weekly/wk110298.html