National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

NWS Columbia System Upgrade 5/5-5/7: Limited Impacts

The National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Forecast Office in Columbia, SC will be conducting a required, scheduled update to their Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS) from Monday May 5, 2025 through approximately Wednesday May 7, 2025. During the time of the update, forecast operations will be conducted by our service back-up office in Greenville-Spartanburg, SC to minimize ... Read More >

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
1136 AM EDT Wed Oct 4 2017

...September 2017 Climate Summary...

...Remnants of Hurricane Irma Produced Strong Winds and Locally
Heavy Rainfall...
...Above normal Temperatures for September...
...Warm and Dry After Irma...

September will be most remembered by the effect Hurricane Irma on
the Palmetto State and the Peach State. Irma produced very strong
winds and brought heavy rainfall to areas of the Midlands and
Central Savannah River Area on the 11th.

After the passage of Irma, the weather pattern shifted and
unseasonably warm temperatures along with little rainfall was the
norm for the remainder of the month. The Midlands and Central
Savnnah River Area remained free of drought after the passing of
Irma for the remainder of the month.


...Augusta Average Temperatures...

The average temperature at Augusta Regional Bush Field for
September was 76.7 degrees or 2.1 degrees above the normal of
74.6.

...Columbia Average Temperatures...

The average temperature at Columbia Metro Airport for September
was 77.1 degrees or 2.4 degrees above the normal of 74.7.



...Augusta Rainfall...

Augusta Bush Field received 4.55 inches of rainfall during
September. Normal is 3.22 inches.

...Columbia Rainfall...

Columbia Metro Airport received 4.55 inches of rainfall during
September. Normal is 3.54 inches


Here are some of the highest rainfall CoCoRaHS Reports for
September:

SC-BM-1   Denmark 2.8 WNW.........7.12 inches
SC-AK-27  Williston 4.3 WNW.......7.07 inches
SC-AK-4   North Augusta 4.2 NE....6.91 inches
SC-CD-6   Manning 1.9 SSE.........6.82 inches
SC-LX-35  Lexington 2.9 SE........6.42 inches

GA-BK-1   Waynesboro 3.3 SW.......6.67 inches
GA-CU-3   Evans 2.1 NNW...........5.08 inches
GA-CU-14  Grovetown 4.5 NNW.......4.99 inches
GA-RC-8   Augusta 1.2 NW..........4.36 inches
GA-MD-5   Thomson 2.6 S...........4.14 inches


Here are some of the highest NWS Coop Observer Reports for
September:


HHLS1 Holly Hill 1 SW.............8.65 inches
BNLS1 Barnwell 5 ENE..............7.12 inches
WGRS1 Wagener 1 SW................6.44 inches
NRTS1 North 5 NE..................6.21 inches
BAMS1 Bamberg.....................6.04 inches


Highest Wind Gusts at ASOS Sites during September:

Augusta Daniel Field (DNL)............57 mph on the 11th
Augusta Bush Field (AGS)..............55 mph on the 11th
Orangeburg County Airport (OGB).......54 mph on the 11th
Columbia Metro Airport (CAE)..........51 mph on the 11th
Columbia Hamilton Owens Field (CUB)...45 mph on the 11th


Highest Wind Gusts on the area lakes during September:

Lake Thurmond Dam (CHDS1).............51 mph on the 11th
Lake Murray Flotilla Island (LMFS1)...40 mph on the 11th
Lake Murray Towers (USGS).............37 mph on the 11th
Lake Murray Dam (RCWINDS).............35 mph on the 11th
Lake Wateree Dam (WATS1)..............32 mph on the 11th


Lake Murray Water Temperatures at The Towers:

Warmest...83 degrees on September 21st
Coolest...68 degrees on September 11th


TEMPERATURE RECORDS TIED OR BROKEN DURING THE MONTH OF
September:

September 11th - A new daily maximum rainfall record was set when
4.10 inches of rain fell. The previous record was 2.30 inches set
in 1884.

September 28th - Record daily high temperature tied when the
afternoon temperature reached 97 degrees. This tied the record of
97 degrees set in 1986.


COLUMBIA...

September 11th - A new daily maximum rainfall record was set when
3.38 inches of rain fell. The previous record was 2.24 inches set
in 1889.



Events for September 2017...

9/1 - A cold front combined with moisture from Tropical Storm
Harvey, that move across the Tennessee Valley, produced scattered
strong to severe thunderstorms across the region. Severe
thunderstorms produced strong damaging winds across portions of
Fairfield and Chesterfield counties. Hail up to quarter size was
reported at Lake Wateree State Park. Strong winds downed trees in
Fairfield County and also near the town of McBee in Chesterfield
County.

9/5 - A weak trough across the Upstate ahead of a cold front
produced isolated strong to severe thunderstorms. The strong winds
downed limbs, power lines and trees across Kershaw and Barnwell
counties.

9/6 - A cold front moved across the region and produced widely
scattered strong to severe thunderstorms. The strong winds downed
trees and power lines across Lee county near Mayesville and also
across Clarendon county.

9/10-12 - What else needs to be said, but Irma and her impacts to
the Midlands and Central Savannah River Area. Irma produced very
strong winds and locally heavy rainfall across the area. Counties
reported numerous trees and power lines down along with tens of
thousands of households without power. There was also 1 weak EF-0
Tornado associated with Irma that touched down briefly in Bamberg
county.

Here are some of the highest wind gusts recorded:

Augusta Daniel Field (DNL)............58 mph on the 11th (ASOS)
Augusta Bush Field (AGS)..............55 mph on the 11th (ASOS)
Edisto Rec Nr Blackville..............55 mph on the 11th (Public)
Lancaster County Airport (LKR)........55 mph on the 11th (AWOS)
Orangeburg County Airport (OGB).......54 mph on the 11th (ASOS)
Winnsboro (FDW).......................53 mph on the 11th (AWOS)
Columbia Metro Airport (CAE)..........51 mph on the 11th (ASOS)
Shaw AFB (SSC)........................51 mph on the 11th (AWOS)
Lake Thurmond Dam (CHDS1).............51 mph on the 11th (NWS)
SAVRAW 8 WSW Snelling.................51 mph on the 11th (RAWS)
Elders Pond...........................50 mph on the 11th (RCWINDS)
Colonels Creek Landing Lk Wateree.....50 mph on the 11th (Public)
Aiken Municipal Airport (AIK).........49 mph on the 11th (AWOS)
Barnwell County Airport (BNL).........48 mph on the 11th (AWOS)
McEntire JNG (MMT)....................48 mph on the 11th (AWOS)

Here are some of the highest rainfall totals:

Holly Hill (HHLS1)....................7.18 inches (COOP)
SC-BM-01 Denmark 2.8 WNW..............6.80 inches (CoCoRaHS)
GA-BK-01 Waynesboro 3.3 SW............6.67 inches (CoCoRaHS)
Barnwell (BNLS1)......................6.35 inches (COOP)
USCRN Site Clemson nr Blackville......6.09 inches (GOES)
SC-BM-06 Ehrhardt 0.2 SE..............6.01 inches (CoCoRaHS)
Santee NWR............................5.96 inches (RAWS)
SC-LX-02 Lexington 1.9 E..............5.86 inches (CoCoRaHS)
SC-AK-27 Williston 4.3 NNW............5.75 inches (CoCoRaHS)
SC-CD-02 Manning 8.2 S................5.75 inches (CoCoRaHS)
Lexington Cty Municipal Bldg..........5.67 inches (RCWINDS)
SC-CD-01 Summerton 8.4 SE.............5.47 inches (CoCoRaHS)
Thomson-McDuffie County Arpt (HQU)....5.37 inches (AWOS)
Wateree...............................5.27 inches (RCWINDS)
SC-LX-35 Lexington 2.9 NE.............5.22 inches (CoCoRaHS)


An EF-0 Tornado touched down just northwest of the town of Olar
along Thunder Road. The tornado continued north-northwest for
approximately 2 miles. The tornado crossed Thunder Road, Red Fox
Road, Memorial Church Road and dissipated before reaching
Ehrhardt Road. The tornado downed a few trees and several large
limbs along it`s path. The tornado was brief, only staying on the
ground for approximately 4 minutes. There was no damage to any
structures. The width of the tornado was up to 50 yards with an
estimated maximum wind speed of 85 mph.



YEAR TO DATE MONTHLY TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION STATISTICS...

COLUMBIA SC METROPOLITAN AIRPORT 2015/2016/2017 MONTHLY AVERAGE
TEMPERATURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL...

          AVG HIGH/DEP   AVG LOW/DEP   AVG TEMP   NORM  DEPARTURE
JAN 2015  55.7/-0.3      33.7/ 0.0      44.7      44.8    -0.1
FEB       54.1/-6.2      32.1/-4.7      43.1      48.5    -5.4
MAR       70.3/+2.1      46.9/+3.9      58.6      55.6    +3.0
APR       77.8/+1.5      50.4/+5.7      67.0      63.4    +3.6
MAY       86.0/+2.2      61.0/+1.5      73.5      71.7    +1.8
JUN       93.6/+3.6      71.6/+3.4      82.6      79.1    +3.5
JUL       96.4/+3.7      74.3/+2.7      85.3      82.2    +3.1
AUG       92.9/+2.2      72.2/+1.2      82.6      80.8    +1.8
SEP       85.9/+0.7      67.6/+3.4      76.7      74.7    +2.0
OCT       75.6/-0.5      53.6/+1.5      64.6      64.1    +0.5
NOV       69.4/+2.1      48.6/+6.3      59.0      54.8    +4.2
DEC       70.1/+11.9     50.1/+14.8     60.1      46.7   +13.4

JAN 2016  55.1/-0.9      33.6/-0.1      44.3      44.8    -0.5
FEB       60.1/-0.2      37.9/+1.1      49.0      48.5    +0.5
MAR       75.0/+6.8      49.8/+6.8      62.4      55.6    +6.8
APR       78.1/+1.8      53.6/+3.2      65.8      63.4    +2.4
MAY       83.4/-0.4      61.9/+2.4      72.7      71.7    +1.0
JUN       94.2/+4.2      71.7/+3.5      83.0      79.1    +3.9
JUL       99.2/+6.5      75.2/+3.6      87.2      82.2    +5.0
AUG       93.8/+3.1      74.8/+3.8      84.3      80.8    +3.5
SEP       89.2/+4.0      69.6/+5.4      79.4      74.7    +4.7
OCT       80.5/+4.4      56.0/+3.9      68.3      64.1    +4.2
NOV       70.6/+3.3      41.8/-0.5      56.2      54.8    +1.4
DEC       59.6/+1.4      39.9/+4.6      49.7      46.7    +3.0

JAN 2017  64.5/+8.5      43.0/+9.3      53.7      44.8    +8.9
FEB       71.4/+11.1     43.1/+6.3      57.2      48.5    +8.7
MAR       70.9/+2.7      44.1/+1.1      57.5      55.6    +1.9
APR       81.0/+4.7      57.7/+7.3      69.4      63.4    +6.0
MAY       85.2/+1.4      61.9/+2.4      73.6      71.7    +1.9
JUN       89.3/-0.7      70.1/+1.9      79.7      79.1    +0.6
JUL       93.7/+1.0      73.5/+1.9      83.6      82.2    +1.4
AUG       91.4/+0.7      73.2/+2.2      82.3      80.8    +1.5
SEP       88.6/+3.4      65.6/+1.4      77.1      74.7    +2.4


AUGUSTA GA BUSH FIELD 2015/2016/2017 MONTHLY AVERAGE TEMPERATURES
AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL...

          AVG HIGH/DEP   AVG LOW/DEP   AVG TEMP   NORM  DEPARTURE
JAN 2015  55.8/-2.1      32.1/-0.7     44.0       45.4    -1.4
FEB       55.4/-6.9      30.1/-5.8     42.8       49.1    -6.3
MAR       71.3/+1.4      45.3/+3.3     58.3       55.9    +2.4
APR       77.8/+0.5      54.9/+6.8     66.3       62.7    +3.6
MAY       86.7/+1.7      58.1/+0.8     72.4       71.1    +1.3
JUN       93.1/+2.1      68.1/+1.9     80.6       78.6    +2.0
JUL       95.8/+2.4      71.3/+1.5     83.6       81.6    +2.0
AUG       91.4/-0.4      69.8/+0.5     80.6       80.5    +0.1
SEP       85.5/-1.2      65.1/+2.5     75.3       74.6    +0.7
OCT       77.7/-2.1      52.4/+1.4     64.0       64.4    -0.4
NOV       70.2/+1.1      47.0/+5.6     58.6       55.2    +3.4
DEC       70.3/+10.3     48.3/+13.8    59.3       47.2   +12.1

JAN 2016  55.3/-2.6      33.1/+0.3     44.2       45.4    -1.2
FEB       61.7/-0.6      37.9/+2.0     49.8       49.0    +0.7
MAR       74.4/+4.5      47.1/+5.1     60.8       55.9    +4.9
APR       77.5/+0.2      50.1/+2.0     63.8       62.7    +1.2
MAY       83.2/-1.8      58.2/+0.9     70.7       71.1    -0.4
JUN       92.2/+1.2      68.8/+2.6     80.5       78.6    +1.9
JUL       97.5/+4.1      71.7/+1.9     84.6       81.6    +3.0
AUG       94.2/+2.4      72.1/+2.8     83.1       80.2    +2.6
SEP       88.9/+2.2      66.0/+3.4     77.4       74.6    +2.8
OCT       82.5/+4.8      53.8/+2.8     68.2       64.4    +3.8
NOV       73.4/+4.3      41.2/-0.2     57.3       55.2    +2.1
DEC       62.4/+2.4      41.8/+7.3     52.4       47.2    +5.2

JAN 2017  67.5/+9.6      43.5/+10.7    55.5       45.4   +10.1
FEB       73.2/+10.9     43.4/+7.5     58.3       49.1    +9.2
MAR       73.7/+3.8      43.8/+1.8     58.8       55.9    +2.9
APR       83.2/+5.9      55.4/+7.3     69.3       62.7    +6.6
MAY       87.1/+2.1      61.1/+3.8     74.1       71.1    +3.0
JUN       90.8/-0.2      69.4/+3.2     80.1       78.6    +1.5
JUL       94.3/+0.9      72.9/+3.1     83.6       81.6    +2.0
AUG       91.7/-0.1      72.8/+3.5     82.3       80.5    +1.8
SEP       87.4/+2.7      64.0/+1.4     76.7       74.6    +2.1


COLUMBIA SC METROPOLITAN AIRPORT 2015/2016/2017 MONTHLY
PRECIPITATION...

               TOTAL   NORMAL   DEPARTURE
              (INCHES)
JAN 2015       2.60     3.58    -0.98
FEB            4.76     3.61    +1.15
MAR            2.78     3.73    -0.95
APR            4.03     2.62    +1.41
MAY            1.71     2.97    -1.26
JUN            8.79     4.69    +4.10
JUL            1.53     5.46    -3.93
AUG            4.85     5.26    -0.41
SEP            6.15     3.54    +2.61
OCT           14.46     3.17   +11.29
NOV            5.47     2.74    +2.73
DEC            6.45     3.22    +3.23
ANNUAL        63.58    44.59   +18.99

JAN 2016       1.94     3.58    -1.64
FEB            4.69     3.61    +1.08
MAR            1.88     3.73    -1.85
APR            2.80     2.62    +0.18
MAY            2.61     2.97    -0.36
JUN            2.39     4.69    -2.30
JUL            1.79     5.46    -3.67
AUG            4.83     5.26    -0.43
SEP            6.81     3.54    +3.27
OCT            2.09     3.27    -1.18
NOV            2.01     2.74    -0.73
DEC            3.35     3.22    +0.13
ANNUAL        39.55    44.59    -5.04

JAN 2017       7.04     3.58    +3.46
FEB            1.60     3.61    -2.01
MAR            2.38     3.73    -1.35
APR            6.11     2.62    +3.49
MAY            7.15     2.97    +4.18
JUN            5.13     4.69    +0.44
JUL            5.42     5.46    -0.04
AUG            1.92     5.26    -3.34
SEP            4.55     3.54    +1.01


AUGUSTA GA BUSH FIELD 2015/2016/2017 MONTHLY PRECIPITATION...

               TOTAL   NORMAL   DEPARTURE
              (INCHES)
JAN 2015       2.10     3.91     -1.81
FEB            4.70     3.92     +0.78
MAR            3.04     4.18     -1.14
APR            4.86     2.84     +2.02
MAY            0.93     2.65     -1.72
JUN            3.50     4.72     -1.22
JUL            3.52     4.33     -0.81
AUG            3.74     4.32     -0.58
SEP            4.05     3.22     +0.83
OCT            4.62     3.27     +1.35
NOV            5.41     2.82     +2.59
DEC            6.92     3.39     +3.53
ANNUAL        47.39    43.57     +3.82

JAN 2016       1.66     3.91     -2.25
FEB            3.76     3.92     -0.16
MAR            3.18     4.18     -1.00
APR            4.42     2.84     +1.58
MAY            5.71     2.65     +3.06
JUN            2.87     4.72     -1.85
JUL            1.31     4.33     -3.02
AUG            3.66     4.32     -0.66
SEP            6.81     3.54     +3.27
OCT            4.45     3.17     +1.28
NOV            0.62     2.82     -2.20
DEC            4.41     3.39     +1.02
ANNUAL        38.27    43.57     -5.02

JAN 2017      10.13     3.91     +6.22
FEB            2.11     3.92     -1.81
MAR            1.77     4.18     -2.41
APR            2.60     2.84     -0.24
MAY            3.14     2.65     +0.69
JUN            3.52     4.72     -1.20
JUL            5.04     4.33     +0.71
AUG            5.87     4.32     +1.55
SEP            4.28     3.22     +1.06


The 3-Month Outlook for Fall/Winter
(October/November/December)...

The outlook calls for a 33 to 40 percent chance of above normal
temperatures with a 33 to 40 percent chance of above normal
precipitation.

GO TO THE CLIMATE PREDICTION CENTER WEB PAGE AT
WWW.CPC.NCEP.NOAA.GOV IN LOWER CASE LETTERS FOR MORE DETAILS AND THE
LATEST OUTLOOKS.


ENSO (EL NINO SOUTHERN OSCILLATION)...
...ENSO Neutral Conditions Are Present...
...La Nina Watch Issued...

Equatorial sea surface temperatures are near to below average
across the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. There is an
increasing chance, (55%-60%) of La Nina during the Northern
Hemisphere Fall and Winter 2017-18.

CLIMATE OUTLOOKS AND ENSO DISCUSSIONS COURTESY 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 is 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 .

$$
Vaughan