Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
1240 PM EST Nov 26 2018

...PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT...


...October 2018 Climate Summary...

...Hurricane Michael Effects the Midlands and CSRA...
...Michael Spawns 4 Tornadoes Across the Midlands...
...River Flooding along the Congaree and Great Pee Dee...
...Above Normal Temperatures...
...8th Warmest October on Record at Columbia...
...Above Normal Rainfall...


The trend of above normal temperatures and rainfall continued into
October across the Midlands and Central Savannah River Area. The area
was once again affected by another hurricane, as Tropical Storm
Michael moved across the Central Savannah River Area and Midlands on
October 10th - 11th. Michael produced locally heavy rainfall and
strong wind gusts across the region.

Here are the 11 warmest Octobers at Columbia:

1. 73.9 degrees in 1919
2. 72.2 degrees in 1941
3. 70.4 degrees in 1984
4. 69.8 degrees in 1971
5. 69.2 degrees in 2007
6. 68.7 degrees in 1947 and 1949
8. 68.5 degrees in 2018
9. 68.4 degrees in 1985
10.69.3 degrees in 1939 and 1900


Here are some rainfall amounts from Tropical Storm Michael:

6 E Jefferson..................5.27 inches
3 NE Bishopville...............3.98 inches
USGS Raingage Nr McBee.........3.79 inches
3 SE Pageland..................3.00 inches
Black Creek Chesterfield.......2.96 inches

Here are some of the highest wind gusts observed from
Tropical Storm Michael:

Orangeburg Municipal Airport (OGB)...53 mph
Augusta Bush Field (AGS).............52 mph
Sumter Municipal Airport (SMS).......51 mph
Santee Cooper Regional Airport (MNI).48 mph
Shaw AFB (SSC).......................48 mph
Barnwell Regional Airport (BNL)......47 mph
Daniel Field Augusta (DNL)...........47 mph
McEntire JNG (MMT)...................47 mph
Aiken Municipal Airport (AIK)........46 mph
Columbia Metro Airport (CAE).........46 mph
Lake Thurmond Dam (CHDS1)............46 mph
Lake Murray Towers USGS (IRMS1)... ..46 mph


...Augusta Average Temperatures...

The average temperature at Augusta Regional Bush Field for October was
68.7 degrees or 4.3 degrees above the normal of 64.4 degrees.

...Columbia Average Temperatures...

The average temperature at Columbia Metro Airport for October was 68.5
degrees or 4.4 degrees above the normal of 64.1 degrees.

...Orangeburg Average Temperatures...

The average temperature at the Orangeburg County Airport for October
was 68.2 degrees or 3.0 degrees above the normal of 65.2 degrees.


...Augusta Rainfall...

Augusta Bush Field received 4.58 inches of rainfall during October.
Normal is 3.27 inches.

...Columbia Rainfall...

Columbia Metro Airport received 6.36 inches of rainfall during October.
Normal is 3.17 inches.

...Orangeburg Rainfall...

Orangeburg Water Plant received 4.85 inches of rainfall during October.
Normal is 3.39 inches.


Here are some of the highest monthly rainfall CoCoRaHS Reports
for October:

SC-RC-93 Chapin 5.0 ESE...........8.17 inches
SC-OR-35 North 5.1 NE.............7.80 inches
SC-LX-35 Lexington 2.9 NE.........7.77 inches
SC-LX-98 W. Columbia 5.9 WSW......7.46 inches
SC-CF-8  Cheraw 1.2 SE............7.23 inches


GA-CU-7  Grovetown 3.4 NE.........6.56 inches
GA-CU-6  Martinez 0.9 NW..........5.47 inches
GA-RC-9  W. Augusta 0.9 NW........5.41 inches
GA-BK-9  S. Augusta 4.1 S.........5.11 inches
GA-BK-10 Waynesboro 5.3 SE........4.88 inches


Here are some of the highest NWS Coop Observer monthly rainfall
reports for October:

NRTS1 North 5 NE..................7.80 inches
ELTS1 Elliott 0.8 NW..............7.44 inches
PLNS1 Pelion 0.8 NW...............6.79 inches
CTFS1 Chesterfield 3 E............6.42 inches
CEWS1 Cheraw Water Plant..........6.12 inches


Highest Wind Gusts at ASOS Sites during October:

Orangeburg County Airport (OGB).......53 mph on the 11th
Augusta Bush Field (AGS)..............51 mph on the 11th
Augusta Daniel Field (DNL)............47 mph on the 11th
Columbia Metro Airport (CAE)..........46 mph on the 11th
Columbia Hamilton Owens Field (CUB)...41 mph on the 11th


Highest Wind Gusts on the area lakes during October:

Lake Murray Towers USGS (IRMS1).......46 mph on the 11th
Lake Thurmond Dam (CHDS1).............46 mph on the 11th
Lake Murray Flotilla Island (LMFS1)...43 mph on the 11th
Lake Wateree Dam (WATS1)..............40 mph on the 11th


Lake Murray Water Temperatures at The Towers for October:

Warmest...82.4 degrees on October 5th and 6th.
Coolest...68.9 degrees on October 31st


TEMPERATURE/PRECIPITATION RECORDS TIED OR BROKEN DURING THE MONTH OF
October:

Augusta...The 16th...Maximum temperature reached 90 degrees. This broke
the previous record of 89 degrees set in 1984.

COLUMBIA...The 11th...Rainfall total for the date was 4.45 inches. The
previous daily rainfall record was 1.67 inches back in 1888.



Events for October 2018...

October 10th - 11th... Hurricane Michael weakened and moved across the
Central Savannah River Area and Midlands at Tropical Storm Michael.
Michael produced strong wind gusts and downed numerous trees and power
lines across the region. Additionally, the heavy rainfall across the
region produced river flooding on the Congaree River and Great Pee Dee
River.

Here are the river crests along the Congaree River and Great Pee Dee
River:

Congaree River at Carolina Eastman - crested at 119.80 on the early
morning of the 13th. Flood Stage is 115.0.

Congaree River at the Congaree National Park - Gadsden - crested at
17.15 feet on the morning of the 14th. Flood Stage is 15.0 feet.

Pee Dee River at Cheraw - crested at 36.95 feet on the morning of the
14th. Flood Stage is 30.0 feet.



Here are some of the highest wind gusts from TS Michael:

Orangeburg Municipal Airport (OGB)...53 mph
Augusta Bush Field (AGS).............52 mph
Sumter Municipal Airport (SMS).......51 mph
Santee Cooper Regional Airport (MNI).48 mph
Shaw AFB (SSC).......................48 mph
Barnwell Regional Airport (BNL)......47 mph
Daniel Field Augusta (DNL)...........47 mph
McEntire JNG (MMT)...................47 mph
Aiken Municipal Airport (AIK)........46 mph
Columbia Metro Airport (CAE).........46 mph
Lake Thurmond Dam (CHDS1)............46 mph
Lake Murray Towers USGS (IRMS1)... ..46 mph

Here are some of the highest rainfall totals from TS Michael:

6 E Jefferson..................5.27 inches
3 NE Bishopville...............3.98 inches
USGS Raingage Nr McBee.........3.79 inches
3 SE Pageland..................3.00 inches
Black Creek Chesterfield.......2.96 inches

TS Michael spawned 4 tornadoes across the region. There were 3 EF0
tornadoes that touched down: 1 was in Richland County near Eastover; 3
in Orangeburg County near the City of Orangeburg and the towns of
Branchville and Rowesville.

.Branchville Tornado...

Start Location...1 WSW Branchville in Orangeburg County SC
End Location...1 NW Branchville in Orangeburg County SC
Date...10/10/2018
Estimated Time...11:17 PM EDT
Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF0
Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...65 mph
Maximum Path Width...25.0 yards
Path Length...1.25 miles
Beginning Lat/Lon...33.2505 / -80.8285
Ending Lat/Lon...33.2685 / -80.8311
* Fatalities...0
* Injuries...0

...Summary...
The tornado touched down near Edward Street and traveled about
1 mile northward to Calhoun Street causing minor damage to trees.
The tornado lifted at 11:20 PM EDT.

.Rowesville Tornado...

Start Location...3 S Rowesville in Orangeburg County SC
End Location...3 NNW Rowesville in Orangeburg County SC
Date...10/10/2018
Estimated Time...11:28 PM EDT
Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF0
Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...75 mph
Maximum Path Width...25.0 yards
Path Length...6.50 miles
Beginning Lat/Lon...33.3314 / -80.8457
Ending Lat/Lon...33.4222 / -80.8555
* Fatalities...0
* Injuries...0

...Summary...
A second tornado touchdown occurred along the path of the storm,
beginning on Hollyhock Road. This tornado produced non-continuous
damage to trees as it moved through Rowesville, SC and continued
northward until lifting near Methodist Oaks Drive at 11:37 PM EDT.

.Orangeburg Tornado...

Start Location...1 WNW Orangeburg in Orangeburg County SC
End Location...8 NW Brookdale in Orangeburg County SC
Date...10/10/2018
Estimated Time...11:48 PM EDT
Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF0
Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...80 mph
Maximum Path Width...50.0 yards
Path Length...8.50 miles
Beginning Lat/Lon...33.5016 / -80.8805
Ending Lat/Lon...33.6021 / -80.9386
* Fatalities...0
* Injuries...0

...Summary...
A third tornado touchdown occurred near the city of Orangeburg, SC
near Brookside Drive and Pinehill Road.  This tornado caused non-
continuous damage to large trees as it moved northwestward. It
lifted near the Calhoun County line near Providence Road on 10/11/18
at 12:01 AM EDT.

.Eastover Tornado...

Start Location...6 SE Eastover in Richland County SC
End Location...Eastover in Richland County SC
Date...10/11/2018
Estimated Time...04:22 AM EDT
Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF1
Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...90 mph
Maximum Path Width...50.0 yards
Path Length...6.00 miles
Beginning Lat/Lon...33.8058 / -80.6386
Ending Lat/Lon...33.88 / -80.6932
* Fatalities...0
* Injuries...0

...Summary...
The tornado touched down near Joe Collins Road, uprooting several
trees along the road. It continued northward across Reynolds Road
causing a large hardwood tree to uproot and block the road.
Several other nearby trees were also uprooted, falling opposite
in direction of the larger tree. The tornado continued
northward across a large clear-cut forest before causing
additional minor tree damage on Hallwood Road and Alice Johnson
Road. The tornado moved northeastward into Eastover where several
trees were uprooted on Henry Street before lifting around
4:30 AM EDT.


October 22nd...Coldest morning of the Fall season as chilly high
pressure settled in across the region.

Here are some of the coldest morning temperatures:

2 NW Elgin...................30 degrees
2 ESE Saluda.................30 degrees
3 NNE Gloverville............31 degrees
Cedar Creek..................32 degrees
2 SSE Red Bank...............32 degrees
8 E Fort Jackson.............32 degrees
2 NW Elgin...................32 degrees
Saluda.......................33 degrees
Lake Greenwood...............33 degrees
Thomson-McDuffie Airport.....33 degrees
8 SE New Ellenton............33 degrees


October 26th - 27th...A deep are of low pressure that developed along
the central Gulf Coast moved northeast across the region to the
Delmarva Peninsula. This system produced 1 to 2 inches of rainfall
across the region.

Here are some of the highest rainfall totals:

6 E Jefferson............2.15 inches
Lexington Adm Bldg.......2.05 inches
5 WSW Elgin..............1.96 inches
2 SSE Burnettown.........1.75 inches
Public Works.............1.73 inches




YEAR TO DATE MONTHLY TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION STATISTICS...

COLUMBIA SC METROPOLITAN AIRPORT 2016/2017/2018 MONTHLY AVERAGE
TEMPERATURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL...

         AVG HIGH/DEP   AVG LOW/DEP   AVG TEMP    NORM  DEPARTURE
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
OCT       80.3/+4.2      55.8/+3.7      68.0      64.1    +3.9
NOV       70.1/+1.0      40.9/-0.5      55.5      55.2    +0.3
DEC       59.8/+1.6      39.4/+4.1      49.6      46.7    +2.9

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


AUGUSTA GA BUSH FIELD 2016/2017/2018 MONTHLY AVERAGE TEMPERATURES
AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL...

         AVG HIGH/DEP   AVG LOW/DEP   AVG TEMP    NORM  DEPARTURE
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
OCT       82.4/+4.7      54.7/+3.7     68.5       64.4    +4.1
NOV       68.9/+1.6      42.4/+0.1     55.6       54.8    +0.8
DEC       60.4/+0.4      38.8/+4.3     49.6       47.2    +2.4

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


COLUMBIA SC METROPOLITAN AIRPORT 2016/2017/2018 MONTHLY
PRECIPITATION...

               TOTAL   NORMAL   DEPARTURE
              (INCHES)
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
OCT            1.57     3.17    -1.60
NOV            1.28     2.74    -1.46
DEC            3.29     3.22    +0.07

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


AUGUSTA GA BUSH FIELD 2016/2017/2018 MONTHLY PRECIPITATION...

               TOTAL   NORMAL   DEPARTURE
              (INCHES)
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
OCT            0.83     3.27     -2.44
NOV            1.36     2.82     -1.46
DEC            4.11     3.39     +0.72

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


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

The outlook calls for equal chances of above, below and normal
temperatures along with 40 to 50 percent chance of above 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)...
...El Nino Watch Continues...

Equatorial sea surface temperatures are above average across most of
the Pacific Ocean. El Nino is expected to form and continue through the
Northern Hemisphere Winter 2018-19 (~80 percent chance) and into Spring
(~55-60 chance).

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 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