Public Information Statement National Weather Service Columbia SC
340 PM THU Feb 13 2020

...PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT...

...Climate Summary for January...

...Above Normal Rainfall Across the Region...
...Much Above Normal Temperatures during January...
...Brief but Strong EF-2 Tornado Damages School in Kershaw County on the 11th...
...Downburst Wind Event Chesterfield County near Patrick...
...Minor to Moderate River Flooding for the First Half of January...


January will be remembered for the continued mild winter weather
temperatures but also the continued steady rainfall across the
Midlands and the Central Savannah River Area. Temperatures averaged
5 to 8 degrees above normal. The main weather events that occurred
during the month were the EF-2 Tornado in Kershaw County and the
river flooding that persisted for much of the month. The EF-2
tornado struck a high school in Kershaw County on the 11th.
Additionally, many rivers across the region remained high through
much of the month producing minor to moderate river flooding.


.Augusta Average Temperatures...

The average temperature at Augusta Regional Bush Field for January
was 52.7 degrees or 7.3 degrees above the normal of 45.4 degrees.

It was the 16th warmest January on record at Augusta.


.Columbia Average Temperatures...

The average temperature at Columbia Metro Airport for January was
51.1 degrees or 6.3 degrees above the normal of 44.8 degrees.

It was the 17th warmest January on record at Columbia.


.Augusta Rainfall...

Augusta Bush Field received 4.56 inches of rainfall during January,
0.65 inches above the normal of 3.91.


.Columbia Rainfall...

Columbia Metro Airport received 5.84 inches of rainfall during
January, 2.26 inches above the normal of 3.58 inches.


Here are some of the highest NWS Coop Observer monthly rainfall
totals for January 2019:

LUGS1 Lugoff 2 NE..................6.95 inches
NWYS1 Newberry WKDK...............6.62 inches
CHPS1 Lake Greenwood..............6.53 inches
NRTS1 North 5 NE..................6.25 inches
USCS1 Columbia Univ. of SC........6.12 inches


Here are some of the highest CoCoRaHS Observers monthly rainfall
totals for January 2019:

SC-KR-14 Lugoff 2.2 NNW............8.50 inches
SC-RC-62 Columbia 7.4 N...........7.64 inches
SC-NW-13 Newberry 1.0 N...........7.49 inches
SC-OR-8  McCormick 0.5 NW.........7.02 inches

GA-LC-2  Tignall 10.2 NE..........7.71 inches
GA-CU-3  Evans 2.1 NNW............6.01 inches
GA-MD-1  Thomson 2.5 S............5.60 inches
GA-RC-12 Augusta 4.2 W............4.54 inches


Highest Wind Gusts at ASOS Sites During January:

Augusta Bush Field (AGS)..............41 mph on the 11th
Orangeburg County Airport (OGB).......39 mph on the 4th
Columbia Metro Airport (CAE)..........38 mph on the 4th
Columbia Hamilton Owens Field (CUB)...37 mph on the 4th
Augusta Daniel Field (DNL)............35 mph on the 7th


Highest Wind Gusts on the area lakes during January:

Lake Murray Flotilla Island (LMFS1)...49 mph on the 11th
Lake Thurmond Dam (CHDS1).............47 mph on the 11th
Lake Murray Towers USGS (IRMS1).......47 mph on the 11th
Lake Wateree Dam (WATS1)..............39 mph on the 11th


Lake Murray Water Temperatures (near surface) at The Towers for
January:

Warmest...57.9F on the 16th
Coolest...52.2F on the 31st


Temperature/Precipitation Records Tied or Broken during the month
of November:

Augusta...

2nd...The high temperature reached 82 degrees. This broke the record
daily high temperature for the date of 80 degrees set in 1952.

15th...The high temperature reached 79 degrees. This tied the record
high temperature for the date set in 2017.


Columbia...

3rd...A daily record rainfall was set for the date of 1.46 inches.
Previous record was 1.17 inches set in 1985.



Events...

January 2-4, 2020 - Heavy rainfall event across the Midlands and
Central Savannah River Area. A complex area of low pressure
developed along the Gulf Coast and moved northeast across the area.
Behind the area of low pressure a tight pressure gradient across the
region produced strong wind gusts on the afternoon and evening hours
of the 4th. The heavy rainfall produced river flooding on many of
the area rivers, especially along the Broad River/Congaree River
Basin.

The Congaree River at Columbia crested at 11.64 feet on the
afternoon of the 6th. Advisory stage for the Congaree River at
Columbia is 10.0 feet, flood stage is 19.0 feet. This produced
nuisance flooding along the West Columbia-Cayce Riverwalk. The
Congaree River at Carolina Eastman crested during the evening hours
on the 5th at 117.40 feet, producing minor flooding. Flood stage is
115.0 feet. The Congaree River at Gadsden-Congaree National Park
crested at 16.23 feet on the late evening hours of the 6th,
producing minor flooding.


Here are some of the highest rainfall totals from the event:

Location                     Amount    Time/Date       Provider
Appling                      2.76 in   0745 AM 01/04   CWOP
Trenton 6.5 SSW              2.01 in   0700 AM 01/04   COCORAHS
West Columbia                1.81 in   0747 AM 01/04   CWOP
Columbia                     1.70 in   0656 AM 01/04   ASOS
Ridge Spring 0.4 SSW         1.69 in   0700 AM 01/04   COCORAHS
Red Bank area                1.68 in   0743 AM 01/04   CWOP
5 NE Murphys Estates         1.66 in   0700 AM 01/04   COCORAHS
3.2 SW Irmo                  1.65 in   0730 AM 01/04   HADS
Lexington 2.5 E              1.63 in   0710 AM 01/04   COCORAHS
Lancaster 7.1 ENE            1.56 in   0600 AM 01/04   COCORAHS
Lexington 5.9 SW             1.56 in   0700 AM 01/04   COCORAHS
Gilbert                      1.53 in   0746 AM 01/04   CWOP
Congaree                     1.53 in   0747 AM 01/04   RAWS
Augusta Daniel               1.53 in   0737 AM 01/04   ASOS
Aiken 7.8 SSE                1.53 in   0700 AM 01/04   COCORAHS
Lancaster 2.0 NNW            1.53 in   0700 AM 01/04   COCORAHS
Weir Tower                   1.50 in   0651 AM 01/04   RAWS


Here are some of the highest wind gusts recorded:

Location                     Speed     Time/Date       Lat/Lon

...Georgia...

...Columbia County...
Martinez                     33 MPH    0845 PM 01/04   33.50N/82.12W
I-20 @ Columbia Weigh Statio 28 MPH    0310 PM 01/04   33.48N/82.21W

...McDuffie County...
Thomson-Mcduffie County Airp   39 MPH    0615 PM 01/04   33.53N/82.52W

...Richmond County...
Augusta Bush                 41 MPH    0925 PM 01/04   33.37N/81.97W
Augusta Daniel               36 MPH    0655 PM 01/04   33.47N/82.03W
Gracewood                    32 MPH    0742 PM 01/04   33.37N/82.03W

...South Carolina...

...Aiken County...
Aiken                        31 MPH    0715 PM 01/04   33.65N/81.68W

...Barnwell County...
Barnwell                     33 MPH    0355 PM 01/04   33.25N/81.38W
Savraw                       29 MPH    0406 PM 01/04   33.21N/81.59W

...Chesterfield County...
Cheraw                       33 MPH    0915 PM 01/04   34.72N/79.95W
Carolina Sandhills           27 MPH    0214 PM 01/04   34.66N/80.27W

...Clarendon County...
Santee Nwr                   30 MPH    0944 PM 01/04   33.56N/80.44W
Santee Cooper Region Arpt    30 MPH    0855 PM 01/04   33.58N/80.22W

...Edgefield County...
North Augusta                29 MPH    0721 PM 01/04   33.60N/81.92W
Long Cane Portable           28 MPH    0750 PM 01/04   33.71N/82.03W

...Fairfield County...
Winnsboro                    35 MPH    0755 PM 01/04   34.32N/81.12W

...Kershaw County...
7 NNW Lugoff                  39 MPH    1130 PM 01/04   34.34N/80.70W
Camden Woodward              32 MPH    0855 PM 01/04   34.28N/80.57W

...Lancaster County...
Lancaster                    33 MPH    0815 PM 01/04   34.72N/80.85W
Fort Mill                    28 MPH    0727 PM 01/04   35.01N/80.88W

...Lexington County...
Columbia Metro Airport       38 MPH    0850 PM 01/04   33.93N/81.12W

...McCormick County...
2 W Clarks Hill              41 MPH    0850 PM 01/04   33.66N/82.20W

...Newberry County...
Newberry (WEATHERSTEM)       34 MPH    0720 PM 01/04   34.28N/81.62W
Newberry                     33 MPH    0635 PM 01/04   34.32N/81.63W

...Orangeburg County...
Orangeburg                   39 MPH    0906 PM 01/04   33.47N/80.85W
1 ESE North                  35 MPH    0256 PM 01/04   33.61N/81.08W

...Richland County...
Mcentire Ang                 40 MPH    0909 PM 01/04   33.92N/80.78W
2.0 SE Columbia (WEATHERSTEM 39 MPH    0850 PM 01/04   33.98N/81.02W
1 SSW Lake Murray of Richlan 37 MPH    0350 PM 01/04   34.11N/81.27W
Columbia Hamilton-Owens Airp 37 MPH    0902 PM 01/04   33.97N/81.00W

...Sumter County...
Shaw AFB Sumter              38 MPH    0834 PM 01/04   33.97N/80.47W
2.1 S Mulberry (WEATHERSTEM) 36 MPH    0600 PM 01/04   33.92N/80.34W
Sumter Municipal Airport     33 MPH    0855 PM 01/04   34.00N/80.37W


January 11, 2020 - A strong cold front with several impulses moving
northeast along the boundary moved eastward and across the region on
the afternoon and evening hours. A squall line developed just ahead
of the front and downed numerous trees across the Midlands and
Central Savannah River Area. One of the storms spawned a brief, but
strong, EF-2 tornado in Kershaw County. The tornado seriously
damaged a high school.


Here is the damage survey assessment of the tornado.

..North Central High School Tornado in Kershaw County...

Start Location...8 SSE Kershaw in Kershaw County SC End Location...8
SE Kershaw in Kershaw County SC Date...01/11/2020 Estimated
Time...10:33 PM EST Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF2 Estimated Maximum
Wind Speed...130 mph Maximum Path Width...150.0 yards Path
Length...0.56 miles Beginning Lat/Lon...34.4293 / -80.5303 Ending
Lat/Lon...34.4346 / -80.523
* Fatalities...0
* Injuries...0

...Summary... Considerable damage occurred to North-Central High
School in Kershaw County as a result of an EF-2 tornado with maximum
wind speeds of 130 mph. The tornado began near the intersection of
Lockhart Rd and Keys Ln, then traveled northeast across the campus
of North-Central High School before lifting approximately a half
mile later beyond the parking lot on the northeast side of the
school. The tornado snapped numerous pine trees at the beginning of
the track, then partially collapsed concrete stadium bleachers and a
press box. The tornado continued across the gymnasium, lifting all
of the HVAC units off the roof. The tornado then lifted most of the
roof off of the main office and an older auditorium, then collapsed
the exterior wall along a portion of the west side of the building.
The tornado then moved into the parking lot on the north side of the
building where it moved 4 school busses, and resulted in broken
windows and other damages to 25-30 parked school busses. The tornado
then destroyed a small building just beyond the parking lot before
lifting. Strong inflow into the tornado also snapped numerous pine
trees south of the baseball field, collapsed 2 large light stands
near the baseball field, and lifted and displaced a conex shipping
container approximately 50 yards. The tornado path length was about
0.50 miles and the path width was about 150 yards.

EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the
following categories:

EF0...Weak......65 to 85 mph EF1...Weak......86 to 110 mph
EF2...Strong....111 to 135 mph EF3...Strong....136 to 165 mph
EF4...Violent...166 to 200 mph EF5...Violent...>200 mph

* The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to
  change pending final review of the event and publication in NWS
  Storm Data.


January 12-14, 2020 - Slow moving cold front produced heavy rainfall
across the region. Some of the heaviest rainfall amounts were in the
Upstate and western North Carolina. Across the Midlands and CSRA,
rainfall amounts ranged from 2 to 4 inches, led to minor to moderate
river flooding on many of the area rivers.

The Congaree River at Columbia crested at 15.36 feet, producing
nuisance flooding along the West Columbia-Cayce Riverwalk. Advisory
Stage is 10.0 feet. The Congaree River at Carolina Eastman crested
at 121.00 feet on the 15th, producing moderate flooding. Flood stage
is 115.0 feet. The Congaree River at Gadsden-Congaree National Park
crested on the evening of the 14th at 17.39 feet, producing minor
flooding. This flooded many of the paths and portions of the lower
boardwalk at the Congaree National Park. The Great Pee Dee River at
Cheraw crested at 30.30 feet, producing minor flooding, on the late
afternoon of the 15th. Flood stage is 30.0 feet. The North Fork of
the Edisto River at Orangeburg crested at 8.97 feet, producing minor
flooding, on the overnight hours of the 15th. Flood stage is 8.0
feet. Stevens Creek at Modoc crested at 19.78 feet, producing minor
flooding, on the evening of the 14th. Flood stage is 19.0 feet.


January 24, 2020 - A deepening area of low pressure and associated
cold front moved across the region on the afternoon and evening
hours of the 24th. A thunderstorm produced a downburst in east-
central Chesterfield County near the town of Patrick. The strong
winds partially flipped a mobile home and injuring 6 people.
Thankfully, the injuries were minor.

Here is a summary of the downburst wind event.

.Downburst winds in East-Central Chesterfield County, SC...

Location...5 miles north of the town of Patrick.
Date...January 24, 2020
Estimated Time...808 PM EST
Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...70-75 mph
Maximum Path Width...175 yards
Path Length...175 yards
Beginning Lat/Lon...34.6482/-80.0397
Ending Lat/Lon...34.6492/-80.0378
* Fatalities...0
* Injuries...6

...Summary...
A National Weather Service Storm Survey Team on Saturday determined
that a downburst produced straight-line wind damage approximately 5
Miles north of the town of Patrick. The damage occurred on Cresthaven
Road, just off of Hunts Mill Road, and was confined to a small area
that was approximately 175 yards long by 175 yards wide. At that
location, there was a mobile home that was pushed off its supports
and partially flipped, with extensive damage being done to the
home. There were 6 people in the residence at the time, and they
were transported to a local hospital for evaluation. Just southwest
of the mobile home, there was a pine tree that was broken off
several feet above the ground. No other damage was found.

* The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to
change pending final review of the event and publication in NWS
Storm Data.



YEAR TO DATE MONTHLY TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION STATISTICS...

COLUMBIA SC METROPOLITAN AIRPORT 2018/2019 MONTHLY AVERAGE
TEMPERATURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL...

         AVG HIGH/DEP   AVG LOW/DEP   AVG TEMP    NORM  DEPARTURE
JAN 2018  55.5/-0.5      30.5/-3.2      43.0      44.8    -1.8
FEB       70.1/+9.8      49.6/+12.8     59.8      48.5   +11.3
MAR       65.8/-2.4      42.5/-0.5      54.2      55.6    -1.4
APR       75.1/-1.2      49.4/-1.0      62.3      63.4    -1.1
MAY       87.3/+1.4      66.5/+7.0      76.9      71.7    +5.2
JUN       93.8/+3.8      71.7/+3.5      82.8      79.1    +3.7
JUL       93.5/+0.8      73.5/+1.9      83.5      82.2    +1.3
AUG       92.9/+2.2      72.7/+1.7      82.8      80.8    +2.0
SEP       91.2/+6.0      72.6/+8.4      81.9      74.7    +7.2
OCT       79.6/+3.5      57.5/+5.4      68.5      64.1    +4.4
NOV       62.3/-5.0      43.2/+0.9      52.8      54.8    -2.0
DEC       58.5/+0.3      39.2/+3.9      48.8      46.7    +2.1
Annual    77.1/+1.6      55.7/+3.3      66.4      63.9    +2.5

JAN 2019  57.7/+1.7      36.3/+2.6      47.0      44.8    +2.2
FEB       65.1/+4.8      41.2/+4.4      53.2      48.5    +4.7
MAR       67.4/-0.8      42.7/+0.3      55.1      55.6    -0.5
APR       77.9/+1.6      52.7/+2.3      65.3      63.4    +1.9
MAY       89.2/+5.4      65.4/+5.9      77.3      71.7    +5.6
JUN       88.9/-1.1      68.2/ 0.0      78.5      79.1    -0.6
JUL       93.2/+2.9      72.2/+0.6      82.7      82.2    +0.5
AUG       92.5/+1.8      72.1/+1.1      82.3      80.8    +1.5
SEP       93.0/+7.8      68.9/+4.7      80.9      74.7    +6.2
OCT       82.0/+5.9      58.3/+6.2      70.1      64.1    +6.0
NOV       63.0/-4.3      39.6/-2.7      51.3      54.8    -3.5
DEC       61.4/+3.2      39.6/+4.3      50.5      46.7    +3.8
Annual

Jan 2020  60.8/+4.8      41.4/+7.7      51.1      44.8    +6.3


AUGUSTA GA BUSH FIELD 2018/2019/2020 MONTHLY AVERAGE TEMPERATURES
AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL...

         AVG HIGH/DEP   AVG LOW/DEP   AVG TEMP    NORM  DEPARTURE
JAN 2018  57.1/-0.8      29.2/-3.6     43.1       45.4    -2.3
FEB       71.6/+9.3      48.4/+12.5    60.0       49.1   +10.9
MAR       67.7/-2.2      41.2/-1.4     54.5       55.9    -1.4
APR       75.1/-2.2      46.1/-2.0     60.6       62.7    -2.1
MAY       86.4/+1.4      61.5/+4.2     74.0       71.1    +2.9
JUN       92.2/+1.2      68.7/+2.5     80.5       78.6    +1.9
JUL       91.2/-2.2      70.9/+1.1     81.0       81.6    -0.6
AUG       92.4/+0.6      70.4/+1.1     81.4       80.5    +0.9
SEP       92.4/+5.7      70.4/+7.8     81.4       74.6    +6.8
OCT       80.6/+2.9      56.7/+4.3     68.7       64.4    +4.3
NOV       64.3/-4.8      43.3/+1.9     53.8       55.2    -1.4
DEC       61.1/+1.1      40.5/+6.0     50.8       47.2    +3.6
Annual    77.7/+0.8      53.9/+2.9     65.8       63.9    +1.9


JAN 2019  60.7/+2.8      37.4/+4.6     49.1       45.4    +3.7
FEB       68.4/+6.1      43.2/+7.3     55.8       49.1    +6.7
MAR       71.2/+1.3      42.8/+0.8     57.0       55.9    +1.1
APR       80.0/+2.7      52.1/+4.0     66.0       62.7    +3.3
MAY       91.0/+6.0      64.1/+6.8     77.5       71.1    +6.4
JUN       90.7/-0.3      67.6/+1.4     79.2       78.6    +0.6
JUL       96.3/+2.9      71.1/+1.3     83.7       81.6    +2.1
AUG       93.7/+1.9      71.5/+2.2     82.6       80.5    +2.1
SEP       93.7/+7.0      66.8/+4.2     80.2       74.6    +5.6
OCT       83.3/+5.6      58.0/+7.0     70.6       64.4    +6.2
NOV       65.9/-3.2      40.0/-1.4     52.9       55.2    -2.3
DEC       63.8/+3.8      40.4/+5.9     52.1       47.2    +4.9
Annual

Jan 2020  64.0/+6.1      41.5/+8.7     52.7       45.4    +7.3



COLUMBIA SC METROPOLITAN AIRPORT 2018/2019/2020 MONTHLY/YEARLY
PRECIPITATION...

               TOTAL   NORMAL   DEPARTURE
              (INCHES)
JAN 2018       2.42     3.58    -1.16
FEB            1.61     3.61    -2.00
MAR            2.97     3.73    -0.76
APR            3.10     2.62    +0.48
MAY            2.76     2.97    -0.21
JUN            3.45     4.69    -1.24
JUL            3.68     5.46    -1.78
AUG            3.25     5.26    -2.01
SEP            6.09     3.54    +2.55
OCT            6.36     3.17    +3.22
NOV            6.55     2.74    +3.81
DEC            7.25     3.22    +4.03
Annual        49.52    44.59    +4.93

JAN 2019       3.07     3.58    -0.57
FEB            0.88     3.61    -2.73
MAR            2.61     3.73    -1.12
APR            2.86     2.62    +0.24
MAY            2.35     2.97    -0.62
JUN            8.03     4.69    +3.34
JUL            4.50     5.46    +0.96
AUG            1.40     5.26    -3.86
SEP            1.95     3.54    -1.59
OCT            2.36     3.17    -0.81
NOV            3.00     2.74    +0.26
DEC            9.31     3.22    +6.09
Annual        42.26    44.59    -2.33

JAN 2020       5.84     3.58    +2.26


AUGUSTA GA BUSH FIELD 2018/2019 MONTHLY/YEARLY PRECIPITATION...

               TOTAL   NORMAL   DEPARTURE
              (INCHES)
JAN 2018       2.09     3.91     -1.82
FEB            1.57     3.92     -2.35
MAR            3.21     4.18     -0.97
APR            3.47     2.84     +0.63
MAY            8.21     2.65     +5.56
JUN            5.19     4.72     +0.47
JUL            3.13     4.33     -1.20
AUG            4.28     4.32     -0.04
SEP            7.19     3.22     +3.97
OCT            4.58     3.27     +1.31
NOV            5.98     2.82     +3.16
DEC            5.94     3.39     +2.55
Annual        54.84    43.57    +11.27

Jan 2019       4.40     3.91     +0.49
FEB            1.14     3.92     -2.78
MAR            2.23     4.18     -1.95
APR            3.01     2.84     +0.17
MAY            3.70     2.65     +1.05
JUN            6.45     4.72     +1.73
JUL            1.39     4.33     -2.94
AUG           12.92     4.32     +8.60
SEP            0.77     3.22     -2.45
OCT            4.12     3.27     +0.85
NOV            2.62     2.82     -0.20
DEC            8.12     3.39     +4.73
Annual        50.87    43.57     +6.30

JAN            4.56     3.91     +0.65


The 3-Month Outlook for Winter/Spring
February/March/April)...

The outlook calls for a 40 percent chance of above normal
temperatures along with equal chances of above, below and normal
precipitation.

Go to the Climate Prediction Center web page at
www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov for more details and the latest outlooks.

ENSO (EL NINO SOUTHERN OSCILLATION)...
ENSO-neutral conditions are present.

Equatorial sea surface temperatures are near to above average across
the Pacific Ocean.

ENSO-neutral is favored during the Northern Hemisphere Spring 2020
with around a 60 percent chance of continuance. There is around a 50
percent chance that ENSO-neutral conditions will continue through
the Summer 2020.

Climate Outlooks and ENSO Discussions courtesy of NOAA Climate
Prediction Center...www.cpc.noaa.gov .

Note...much appreciation goes out to our NWS Cooperative Weather
Observers...CoCoRaHS (Community...Collaborative...Rain...Hail and
Snow Network) Observers...South Carolina State Climate Office...
Southeast Regional Climate Center...Richland County Emergency
Services...USGS and local weather partners for the data they provide
throughout the year. Their hard work and dedication are greatly
appreciated.

Temperature records for Columbia go back to 1887 and for Augusta
back to 1873. Precipitation records for Columbia go back to 1878
and for Augusta back to 1871.

Additional climate information, including current and archived
daily and monthly summaries, can be found on the National Weather
Service Columbia SC home page at http://www.weather.gov/cae .