Mild conditions started the first week in December. Cloudy skies returned midweek with rainshowers on Wednesday and Thursday. A cold front entered the state on Friday with falling temperatures, gusting northwest winds and the season's coldest weather. Sub-freezing observations into the mid teens were made on Saturday and Sunday mornings. All reporting sites, with the exception of Sullivan's Island, have now reported a freeze. Afternoon high temperatures on Sunday were held in the mid 40's to low 50's by the cold air mass. Statewide temperatures for the period averaged 3 degrees below normal.
PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA
The maximum observed temperature was 72 degrees on December 1 at Allendale. The minimum observed temperature was 14 degrees at Huntsbridge and Cedar Creek on the morning of December 7. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall was recorded at Travelers Rest with 1.00" ending at 7:00 a.m. on December 4. Statewide rainfall for the period averaged 0.4 inches.
Precipitation
Period 1997 Deviation* Temperature
Location Total Total From Avg. Maximum Minimum
Greer 0.61 46.4 1.6B 63 22
Charlotte, NC 0.36 45.0 4.6A 62 20
Columbia 0.01 43.3 3.8B 69 23
Florence FAA 0.28 44.5 3.1A 66 24
Blackville 0.06 50.2 5.9A 69 20
Augusta, GA 0.05 43.5 1.5B 71 23
Beaufort 0.09 50.2 1.2B 70 31
Charleston 0.04 56.4 7.4A 69 27
Myrtle Beach 0.34 47.9 1.7B 70 30
*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
ENERGY DEMAND AND AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY
Degree Days
Actual
Dec. 1-7
Cooling Heating
Columbia 0 130
Charleston 0 106
Greenville 0 155
Temperatures are expected to average near 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 50 degrees.
RIVERS AND SURF
River stages are near normal.
Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 59 degrees.