sc-crop-weather State South Carolina Crop Weather Release Date, Week Ending Date Week Ending November 28, 2004 Issue SC-CW1437 Agricultural Summary A warm, moist airmass brought rain and even some thundershowers into the State last Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday a strong cold front moved in bringing heavy rains, high winds and two reported tornadoes into the area. More rain followed on Saturday providing much need relief to dry parts of the State. Overall soil moisture was 3% very short, 11% short, 74% adequate, 12% surplus. There were 4.6 days suitable for field work. Field Crops Report COTTON remained in mostly good condition with 89 percent of the crop harvested. PEANUT harvesting was essentially completed by week's end. SOYBEANS were 97 percent matured and 70 percent harvested and the crop remained in mostly good condition. SORGHUM harvesting was almost completed by the end of last week. SWEET POTATO harvesting was completed by the end of the week. Fruit, Vegetables and Specialty Crops Report APPLE harvesting was also completed by week's end, and PECAN harvesting was 65 percent completed with the crop in mostly fair to good shape. Small Grains, Pasture and Livestock Report All SMALL GRAIN crops remained in fair to mostly good condition for the week. WINTER WHEAT planting was 72 percent completed and crop emergence remained ahead of its normal rate at 60 percent. Ninety-six percent of BARLEY planting was completed with 84 percent of the crop emerged. OATS were 95 percent planted and 82 percent emerged, and RYE was 90 percent planted and 76 percent emerged by week's end. PASTURES and LIVESTOCK remained in mostly good condition for the week. WINTER GRAZINGS planting continued ahead of its normal rate with the crop still in mostly good condition despite the somewhat dry weather. Crop Progress Table ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 Yr : 5 Yr Crop Phase 2004 2003 Avg.:Crop Phase 2004 2003 Avg ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --Percent-- --Percent-- Apples Harvested 100 100 100 :Sorghum Harvested 99 100 98 Barley Planted 96 90 95 :Soybeans Leaves Dropped 99 98 98 Barley Emerged 84 71 83 :Soybeans Matured 97 96 95 Cotton Harvested 89 80 86 :Soybeans Harvested 70 76 70 Oats Planted 95 88 88 :SwtPotatoes Harvested 100 100 100 Oats Emerged 82 76 75 :Winter Graz.Planted 98 97 93 Peanuts Harvested 99 100 100 :Winter Graz.Emerged 93 86 82 Pecans Harvested 65 68 66 :Winter Wht. Planted 72 68 59 Rye Planted 90 91 88 :Winter Wht. Emerged 60 56 43 Rye Emerged 76 79 75 : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop Condition Table --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Very Excel-: Very Excel- Crop Poor Poor Fair Good lent :Crop Poor Poor Fair Good lent ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- Percent -- -- Percent-- Barley 0 0 19 81 0 :Pecans 0 0 55 35 10 Cotton 0 3 21 66 10 :Rye 0 2 41 57 0 Livestock 0 1 20 64 15 :Soybeans 0 2 26 58 14 Oats 0 0 47 53 0 :Winter Graz. 1 2 26 67 4 Pastures 2 3 23 59 13 :Winter Wheat 0 0 14 85 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This is the final South Carolina Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin for 2004. Our entire staff sincerely appreciates the time and effort put forth by Extension Agents with the Clemson Cooperative Extension Service throughout the 2004 crop year. We are also indebted to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Division for the weather data they provided every week. This is truly an example of a cooperative effort in providing agricultural information that is widely used each week by the entire agricultural community. The staff of the South Carolina Statistical Office wishes you and yours a joyous and safe holiday season. South Carolina Weekly Weather Summary for the Week Ending November 28, 2004 This was the wettest period since the second week of September. A moist surface flow along a nearly stationary boundary contributed to periods of rain, some with thunder Monday and Tuesday. A strong cold front pushed through the State on Wednesday bringing heavy rain, damaging high winds, and two reports of tornadoes in Union and Aiken Counties. Thanksgiving day was mostly sunny with brisk winds. On Friday morning, more cool air followed with southern coastal Counties report- ing their first freeze of the season. Clouds and wet weather preceded the week's second cold front on Saturday, with afternoon temperatures struggling to reach 50 degrees. Clearing blue skies were observed on Sunday. For the period, the state average temperature was three degrees above normal. The highest official temperature reported was 79 degrees at Charleston Airport and Jamestown on November 24. The lowest official temperature reported was 25 degrees at Chester and Union on the morning of November 26. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall reported was 2.25 at Chappells ending at 7:00 a.m. on November 23. The average statewide rainfall for the period was 1.6." SOIL: 4 inch depth average soil temperature: Columbia 64 degrees. RIVERS AND SURF: South Carolina river stages were near to below normal. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 62 degrees. Precipitation Weekly Jan 1 Deviation Total Total From Avg Greer 1.15 41.2 -4.9 Columbia 1.49 40.4 -4.3 Orangeburg 2.44 39.0 -5.9 Charlotte, NC 1.61 41.4 +1.3 Augusta, GA 2.40 39.4 -1.9 Florence 2.15 41.1 0.0 Myrtle Beach 1.46 44.5 +2.4 Charleston 1.17 38.2 -9.9 Savannah, GA 0.88 35.4 -11.2 Weekly rainfall totals ending midnight Sunday. CLT 1.61 GSP 1.15 FLO CAE 2.15 1.49 MYR AGS 1.46 2.40 OBG 2.44 CHS 1.17 * NA=Not Available M=Missing E=Estimate SAV 0.88 NEW! The South Carolina State Climatology Office has created the first ever South Carolina Weather Calendar. The 2005 calendar offers twelve months of spectacular, full-color photos portraying South Carolina's spectrum of changeable weather. Each month contains temperature and precipitation tables plus amazing daily historical South Carolina weather facts. Expanded features help you prepare for severe weather events like hurricanes, tornadoes, and thunderstorms, and provide tips on conserving water during drought conditions. You'll have an advantage on spring and fall planting with a reference table on median dates of spring and fall freezes. In short, this calendar contains everything you've ever wanted to know about South Carolina's weather. Only $12.95 plus $2 shipping and handling! Call toll-free 1-888-644-9453. Contact Information: Robert A. Graham, Director Jean Besco, IT Specialist Phone: 803-765-5333 E-mail: nass-sc@nass.usda.gov Website: http://www.nass.usda.gov/sc/