AIR and WATER / CLIMATE
Comfortable
Climate Year Round
Mild temperatures and gentle ocean breezes make the Grand Strand an ideal
vacation destination any time of the year.
Average
Temperature Highs and Average Monthly Precipitation
(Water and air temperatures based on 30 years of data; in degrees
Fahrenheit)
|
Winter |
Air |
Water |
Precipitation |
|
December |
59 |
55 |
3.17" |
|
January |
57 |
51 |
3.80" |
|
February |
60 |
52 |
3.62" |
|
Spring |
Air |
Water |
Precipitation |
|
March |
66 |
57 |
4.27" |
|
April |
75 |
62 |
2.82" |
|
May |
82 |
69 |
4.03" |
|
Summer |
Air |
Water |
Precipitation |
|
June |
87 |
77 |
5.11" |
|
July |
90 |
81 |
6.09" |
|
August |
89 |
83 |
6.19" |
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|
Autumn |
Air |
Water |
Precipitation |
|
September |
84 |
80 |
5.57" |
|
October |
76 |
73 |
2.73" |
|
November |
68 |
65 |
2.80" |
|
Annual Weather Statistical Averages
(Water and air temperatures based on 30 years of data from the S.C.
State Climatology Office; in degrees Fahrenheit) |
-
Sunny days
|
215 |
-
Overcast days
|
150 |
-
Frost days
|
42 |
-
Days when maximum
-
temperature is more than 90 degrees
|
46 |
-
Days with .10 inches of rain or more
|
117 |
-
Average air temperature (degrees F)
|
64 |
-
Average water temperature (degrees F)
|
66 |
-
Average 1 p.m. relative humidity
|
56% |
-
Number of sunny days during
-
an average summer month
|
18 |
-
Number of sunny days during
-
an average winter month
|
15 |
-
Wettest months
|
July & Aug. |
-
Driest months
|
Oct. & April. |
-
Hottest day (105 degrees F)
|
Aug. 22, 1983 |
-
Coldest day ( 4 degrees F)
|
Jan. 21,1985 |
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SEA SHELLS
The
coastal waters of South Carolina are teeming with seashells. In fact,
more than 700 species live in these waters. Common local shells include
whelks, angel wings, arks, pen shells, augers, cockles, slipper shells,
jingles, coquina, and olive shells. Starfish, sea urchins, and sand
dollars also can be found on area beaches.
Sand dollars are an especially popular find. When these creatures are
alive, they have a dark, fur-like covering. They turn white after they
die, or when they wash up on the beach and the sun bleaches them out.
Sand dollars are extremely fragile. Many souvenir shops sell sand
dollars as well as post cards containing "The Legend of the Sand
Dollar." Other seashells – both native and from other parts of the world
– also are sold locally.
Searching for fossils is another popular pastime. The most common
fossils found on area beaches are sharks teeth, which are usually black
or dark brown. Fossilized sharks teeth are millions of years old.
Vacationers often purchase necklaces and other jewelry made with sharks
teeth. Other fossils found in the area include animal bones, horses'
teeth, and fossilized shells.
The best times to look for shells and fossils are on an outgoing tide,
during a new or full moon, and after a storm. Tide charts and
information about moon phases can be found on the Myrtle Beach Area
Chamber of Commerce Web site in the Weather /
Climate section.
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Ocean Water
The health and safety of residents and visitors is of the highest
importance to each of the local governments in the Myrtle Beach area. To
ensure that our beach water is clean and safe, a water-monitoring
program is in place. The program meets Environmental Protection Agency
standards, established in cooperation with the South Carolina Department
of Health and Environmental Control. The surf is tested regularly at 20
sites along the coastline. If contaminants are detected, a swimming
advisory is posted in the affected area. The possibility of pollutants
in ocean water is greatest after a heavy rain, when runoff from lawns
and streets may flush out trash, fertilizer, or pesticides. Swimming
immediately after a rainstorm or in water discharging from storm
drainage pipes should be avoided. Swimming in contaminated water may
result in minor illnesses such as sore throats or diarrhea.
Did
You Know?
During the summer months, the ocean water along the Grand Strand is
about 20 degrees F warmer than the ocean water along New York beaches.
Over the last 30 years, the lowest temperature Grand Strand ocean water
has reached is 47 degrees F (in January) and the highest is 88 degrees F
(in July). Temperatures along the southern coast are usually cooler than
inland areas during the summer because of the sea breeze. |
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CANADA |
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Montreal, Quebec - 1,040 |
|
Quebec, Quebec - 1,086 |
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Ottawa, Ontario - 1,023 |
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Toronto, Ontario - 868 |
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