Strong, high pressure positioned offshore and more typical of a summer- type pattern forced temperatures to well above normal all week. West to southwest winds at the surface were unable to draw in any moisture and the state remained dry. The South Carolina Forestry Commission once again issued a Red Flag Alert for northeastern counties. Daily high temperatures climbed into the mid 70's and lower 80's. On both Saturday and Sunday, numerous observation sites set high temperature records. Statewide temperatures for the period averaged thirteen degrees above normal.
PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA
The maximum observed temperature was 85 degrees on December 4th and 6th at Beaufort. The minimum observed temperature was 29 degrees at Cedar Creek on the morning of December 2. Statewide rainfall for the period averaged 0.0 inches.
Precipitation
Period 1998 Deviation* Temperature
Location Total Total From Avg. Maximum Minimum
Greer 0.00 47.7 0.2B 76 40
Charlotte, NC 0.00 37.8 2.5B 75 36
Columbia 0.00 44.2 2.8B 82 40
Florence FAA 0.00 39.6 1.6B 82 47
Blackville 0.00 45.8 1.6A 83 42
Augusta, GA 0.00 46.3 4.5A 82 43
Beaufort 0.00 52.0 3.2A 85 56
Charleston AP 0.00 63.4 14.5A 81 49
Myrtle Beach 0.00 56.3 6.8A 79 46
*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
December 1-6
Cooling Heating
Columbia 3 16
Charleston 12 2
Greenville 1 25
Temperatures are expected to average near normal for the week. Rainfall is
expected to be near normal.
The National Weather Service located at Columbia Metropolitan Airport reports
an average 4-inch depth soil temperature of 64 degrees.
RIVERS AND SURF
Rivers are below normal. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 63 degrees.
sco@water.dnr.state.sc.us http://water.dnr.state.sc.us/climate/sco/weekly/wk120798.html