Rainy weather was the story for the week. Several low pressure systems progressed west to east along the southern jet stream positioned near South Carolina. Most observation sites measured over 3 inches of rain for the period. Rivers within the state responded with rapid rises and stages near or above flood. Christmas day was the exception as sunny skies and mild temperatures were reported. Counties near the coast recorded afternoon high temperatures in the low to mid 70's. Showers returned on Saturday. Sunday was cloudy and cool with high temperatures only in the 40's. Statewide temperatures for the period averaged one degree above normal.
PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA
The maximum observed temperature was 74 degrees on December 25 at Beaufort and Charleston City. The minimum observed temperature was 17 degrees at Hunts Bridge on the morning of December 28. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall was recorded at Calhoun Falls with 2.53" ending at 7:00 a.m. on December 25. Statewide rainfall for the period averaged 3.5 inches.
Precipitation
Period 1997 Deviation* Temperature
Location Total Total From Avg. Maximum Minimum
Greer 2.84 49.9 0.9B 61 24
Charlotte, NC 2.82 48.4 5.7A 62 27
Florence FAA 3.06 48.4 4.9A 68 30
Blackville 4.43 58.8 12.1A 69 25
Augusta, GA 4.44 50.2 5.9A 66 27
Beaufort 2.34 53.9 2.9A 74 36
Charleston 3.96 61.4 10.2A 72 33
Myrtle Beach 2.98 52.5 0.3A 73 36
*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. 1-28
Cooling Heating
Columbia 0 521
Charleston 0 399
Greenville 0 614
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 43 degrees.
RIVERS AND SURF
River stages are above normal and rising. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 51 degrees.