For more information...

Do you ever wonder how your precipitation measurements 'measure up' to what's going on in other parts of the Carolinas or around the Southeast? Well, wonder no more!

The Southeast Regional Climate Center (SERCC) publishes a monthly 'State of the Climate' report which shares information about temperature, precipitation, severe weather and tornadoes, and drought and agriculture each and every month.

For the month of December we learn that temperatures were above normal across much of the region, with temperature from 3-4 degrees above normal across the Carolinas and as high as 5-6 degrees above normal in coastal areas of South Carolina. Overnight temperatures were also above normal throughout the Southeast last month, with over 300 daily high minimum temperature records tied or broken across the region.

With respect to precipitation, several locations recorded very wet months including Brevard, NC with a record setting 14.77" (records kept from 1931-2013). The above normal precipitation helped to alleviate the dry conditions that we've been experiencing for the last several months.

You can access the report usually by the 2nd week of the month on the SERCC website at www.sercc.com. Look for the flashing 'updated' sign to see when a new report has been released.

The SC State Climate Office is part of
the Department of Natural Resources

To find information local to South Carolina, look for the weekly weather reports from the South Carolina State Climate Office here. These weekly reports include a summary about the previous week's weather around the state, precipitation measurements from airport stations including departures from normal, 4-inch depth soil temperatures (a great tool for gardeners!), river levels, and ocean temperatures at Springmaid Pier in Myrtle Beach.

These organizations provide a great source of information. Additionally, your CoCoRaHS precipitation measurements and condition monitoring reports can help to inform these efforts. Folks at the SC State Climate Office read the 'comments' associated with daily precipitation reports on a regular basis. They rely on observers like you to tell them what's happening on the ground so that they can relay that information to others. So keep up the great work!