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Weather in the Coastal Carolinas

Ask Tonya about Carolinas weather, hurricanes, more

Tonya Root

Tonya Root covers western Horry County towns of Aynor, Conway and Loris in addition to weather for The Sun News and has worked for the newspaper since 1998.

She previously worked in Huntington, W.Va., and Evansville, Ind., as well as a weekly in eastern Kentucky. She has received honors for investigative reporting, spot news writing and was named Western Kentucky University's outstanding journalist during her senior year.

Ask Tonya such questions as why a dense fog often forms along the beaches, how hurricanes always seem to miss the Grand Strand or what the average temperature is in January.

Most Recently Answered Questions

Questions 36 - 55 of 125 (Page 3 of 7)

Submitted by Linda from Slingerlands, NY

Q: Hi- I've been enjoying the other posted Q&A's- my whole family is moving to MB in 2009-2010 (depends on how the house here sells). Here is my question: How is the weather in terms of people who suffer from arthritis? My husband can't stand the long cold winter here because it aggravates his arthritis so much, he's hoping for at least some relief from a geographic change.

Answered 01/04/08 22:52:50 by Tonya Root

A: Linda, Since I'm not certified as a medical professional or know much about arthritis, I don't know how your husband will do with the change in climate. That being said, I do know my mom reports she feels better during the winter while visiting the area with its milder temperatures. I have heard this from several people so hopefully once you arrive the harsh winters of New York will become memories. Good luck with the move!

Submitted by Anonymous from Fredericton, Canada

Q: We are a senior couple, early 60s, planning to spend 2 months in MB mid Jan-mid Mar, we are avid walkers and flying in will use rent a car for part of our stay at Best Western Grand Strand and want to know if this area is safe for seniors to walk or should we consider using car.

Answered 01/04/08 22:49:09 by Tonya Root

A: The area is safe to walk because there are sidewalks in most places. But I would consider having a car available because attractions and places such as the grocery tend to be spread out throughout the area. Also you'll be here during some of our colder weather in January and February so you might not want to bundle up to walk everywhere. Hope you enjoy your stay.

Submitted by Duxbury Bill from Myrtle Beach

Q: We recently moved to Myrtle Beach. Does it ever snow here? If so, what is the largest snowfall on record?

Answered 12/21/07 15:44:39 by Tonya Root

A: Duxbury Bill, Good question. Yes it does snow here from time to time. We mostly see snowfall in January and February. According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, N.C., which serves the Myrtle Beach area and has kept records from 1957 until present, the Grand Strand saw its most substantial snowfall on Dec. 23, 1989 when 5.8 inches fell that day. Officials also wrote December 1989 into the record books for the most snowfall for one month and the most snowfall in one calendar year after 11.3 inches fell. I hope that helps. Thanks.

Submitted by stone face from Newark , New Jersey

Q: What is the weather conditions during xmas time in MB

Answered 12/12/07 15:35:02 by Tonya Root

A: Christmas is a wonderful time to come to Myrtle Beach for some rest and relaxation. The weather is typically mild as compared to New Jersey and there are plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy. Last Christmas, the daytime high temperature was 70 degrees and the overnight low was 55 degrees, according to weather records. The average temperature for the end of December is highs in the 50s to 60s with overnight lows in the 40s. I hope that helps and thanks for the question.

Submitted by golfmad from Aylesford, Nova Scotia

Q: Hello there, My wife & I have booked accommodation in Surfside Beach 23 Feb thru 22 Mar. Can you give us an idea of what to expect for weather? We are, of course, golfers.

Answered 12/12/07 15:30:00 by Tonya Root

A: Golfmad, You'll be leaving cold weather in Nova Scotia for much milder weather in Surfside Beach during your trip. You should plan on being able to play several rounds at one of the area's great courses and enjoy time walking on the beach during your stay. Typically during the end of February and early March temperatures are in the 50s and 60s during the day while overnight lows dip into the 30s and 40s. It also can be a bit windy during that time of year. As for rain, we've been in a deficit lately so I'm not sure if we'll get back to more normal rainfall patterns early next year or if the drought-like conditions will continue. During a normal February and March we'd see about 3 to 4 inches of rainfall for the month, so you should also plan for a rainy day or two during your trip. I hope you and your wife have a wonderful vacation and thanks for the question.

Submitted by Babe from Myrtle beach

Q: Tonya, I noticed great amounts of seaweed on the beach the past few days. Someone told me this is from the shrimp boats nets dragging on the bottom of the ocean & loosening up the seeweed from its bed. Is this true?

Answered 12/12/07 15:01:56 by Tonya Root

A: Babe, I did some research and learned that at different times of the year the seaweed naturally washes ashore in larger, more noticeable amounts. The folks I checked with did not say that the shrimp boat nets played a factor in loosening it up from the ocean floor. I hope that helps and thanks for the question!

Submitted by John from Grand Blanc, Mi

Q: At what point do they measure the ocean temperature? How far from shore and how deep?

Answered 10/24/07 20:49:13 by Tonya Root

A: Hi John, Good question. I didn't know the answer and went to my good friend and weather guru, Tom Mathenson, with the National Weather Service in Wilmington, N.C., which serves this area. The Myrtle Beach area's ocean temperature is measured at the end of Springmaid Pier, Tom said. The sensors are out at the end of the pier and are located below the low tide line attached to the pier. So "when one walks to the beach and dips one's toe in the water, that water may be a degree or maybe even a few degrees warmer, especially during a sunny afternoon at low tide as the sun shines on the sand at the water line, the water washes up on the warm sand and returns a little warmer, as well as due to the sun shining through the shallow (6") water and warming the bottom," Tom tells me. I hope that answers your question.

Submitted by Lise from Canada

Q: Hi Tonya, We will go to Myrtle Beach from september 15th to september 23rd. Can you tell us what is the temperature of the ocean at this time of the year? We will play golf in the morning and we will go to the beach in the afternoon. Thank you!

Answered 08/30/07 12:55:48 by Tonya Root

A: Lise, The average temperature of the ocean during the end of September in Myrtle Beach is 79 degrees, according to the National Oceanographic Data Center. Good luck with your golf games and enjoy your visit to the area.

Submitted by Anonymous from knoxville,tn.

Q: what's the average temperature in myrtle beach the last week of october ?

Answered 08/27/07 13:39:58 by Tonya Root

A: The average temperature in October is 63 degrees, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, N.C. For the last week of October temperatures last year varied from a high of 75 degrees to a low of 35 degrees.

Submitted by Jeff from On, Canada

Q: Hi Tonya, We will be in NorthMyrtle Beach the last week of August and first week of September. What is the norm temperatures for this time? Thanks

Answered 07/09/07 16:25:10 by Tonya Root

A: Jeff, You will be visiting during a time when the normal daytime high temperatures reach into the mid to upper 80s and overnight lows in the lower 70s to upper 60s. Though there are times when normal records are broken so don't be shocked by warmer temperatures than normal. Good luck on your vacation and I hope you enjoy the area.

Submitted by ronnie from newburgh ny

Q: Tanya, We will be coming in to myrtle beach on friday July 13 till saturday the 21. Can you tell me what we can expect as far as the weather, Just hoping it won't rain the whole time with all the kids. thanks for your time.

Answered 07/09/07 16:22:37 by Tonya Root

A: Ronnie, As of today (July 9) the forecast only goes to Sunday. I would guess you won't see rain the entire time you are visiting, but do expect those typical summer rain showers that go away in an hour or so. We just had one pass through this morning and now it's sunny outside. The forecast from the National Weather Service does call for scattered showers Friday, Saturday and Sunday with daytime high temperatures near 90 degrees and overnight lows in the 70s. Good luck with the vacation and enjoy your time here.

Submitted by Jack from Flagstaff, Arizona

Q: Hi, can you please tell me is there a site, that gives annual average tempertures. of major cities... not just the weather, but overall temp.. per year..

Answered 06/18/07 21:44:09 by Tonya Root

A: Jack, I would suggest going to www.weather.gov and click on climate. On the left above the map you can click on recent temperatures for the entire U.S. Click on the temperature that's listed on the map for that city. All the major cities are listed and you should be able to access them there. You should also be able to surf that site for other information.

Submitted by Anonymous from Waldorf, Md.

Q: I will be traveling to North Myrtle Beach from September 16 through the 20. This will be my first visit. What is the weather like in September? Will I be right in the middle of hurrican season?

Answered 05/28/07 19:00:11 by Tonya Root

A: During that time of September the average temperature is in the 70s, but more likely it will be in the mid-80s. The weather in the area is great during that time of year and very warm. You will be along the coast during what experts call the peak of hurricane season for the Atlantic, so be prepared. If there is a storm threat pay attention to all watches and warnings, and if officials issue evaucations please follow those to keep you and your family safe. Otherwise your visit is perfectly planned to come during a great time of year. Good luck.

Submitted by Patty from West Bend WI

Q: Hi Tonya, Well our 8 days in Myrtle Beach starts on Thursday. When I look at the weather I get upset because I see 70's and cloudy. My question is: Is the weather unpredictable on the ocean just as it is on the gulf of Mexico. We often vacationed in Panama City Beach Florida and you could not trust the forecasts as it seemed the gulf weather would often change from the original forecast which I heard was due to the influence of the gulf of Mexico.

Answered 05/28/07 18:56:48 by Tonya Root

A: Patty, Sorry I missed you and your question before your visit. During the summer there are times when the weather can be unpredictable because of those summer thunderstorms that seem to come up out of nowhere and dampen a great beach day. But most of the time they don't last all day and give you time to take a break from the sun. The weather along the coast can be unpredictable at times because of the clash of air masses from the sea and land.

Submitted by Genny from Pawleys Island, SC

Q: Please tell me if there was beach erosion as a result of the first named storm of 2007 (Andrea). I'm interested in the area south of Myrtle Beach, in Litchfield/Pawleys Island.

Answered 05/28/07 18:43:41 by Tonya Root

A: Genny, I don't believe there was serious erosion reported in the Litchfield and Pawleys Island areas.

Submitted by TEE from No location specified

Q: What's today's water temperture in Atlantic City, NJ

Answered 05/28/07 18:15:08 by Tonya Root

A: Since I'm in MYRTLE BEACH, S.C., I had to go to the internet and google the temperature. According to http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/catl.html, the water temp in Atlantic City, NJ is 55.8 degrees today.

Submitted by Anonymous from St. Louis, MO

Q: My family is moving to/near MB the end of this year. Currently I live in the midwest and am terrified of tornados. Are hurricanes similar? How long does an average hurricane last? My husband swears that hurricanes are not as bad as tornados and are less deadly. (I'm assuming this is because with a typical hurricane, there is proper notice that tornados don't always have) Any insight for me?

Answered 04/23/07 19:45:35 by Tonya Root

A: Congrats on your move to the Myrtle Beach area. Hurricanes can be similar to tornadoes for damage, but on a much larger scale. Hurricanes can produce tornadoes when they come ashore, so that should be a concern for you and your family if the area is threatened by a storm. With hurricanes you do have time to prepare and recheck your family plans, which you should put in place as soon as you move to the area. Have an emergency supply kit or hurricane disaster kit in your home. Know where your family will go if a storm threatens and learn how to prepare yourselves and your home before a storm is on the horizon. It is difficult to say how long a hurricane lasts because that depends on the hurricane itself. There are many web sites to visit to familiarize yourself with hurricane information. Also here at The Sun News we publish a special section on hurricanes annually that gives you tips, shelter locations and other vital information to be prepared for a storm. Pick one up when you move to the area from our office near U.S. 17 Bypass and 10th Avenue North. For more information I suggest you spend some time researching hurricanes and how to prepare your family for them so you are at ease once you move to the coast. The National Hurricane Center's site at: www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/intro.shtml The National Weather Service in Wilmington, N.C., which forecasts for the Myrtle Beach area: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/ilm/tropics/ The South Carolina Emergency Management Division site at: http://www.scemd.org/ Horry County government's site at: www.horrycounty.org/hurricane_info/index.asp

Submitted by Gogolf5 from Lady lake, fl

Q: What can you tell me about the blind mosquitos in Myrtle beach area. Thank You

Answered 04/23/07 19:36:27 by Tonya Root

A: Good question, although unrelated to weather in the Coastal Carolinas. I went to Bruce Johnson, Horry County's Clemson Extension agent for a response to your question. He responded with a link to the North Carolina State University fact sheet on these non-biting midge flies or chironomids, which commonly occur in inland and coastal natural and man-made bodies of water. They are known as ¿blind mosquitoes¿ because they are mosquito-like but do not bite. Here's some information for NCSU, which is applicable to the Myrtle Beach area: Chironomid midges are found in swift moving streams, deep slow moving rivers, stagnant ditches, and in lakes and ponds that are rich in decomposing organic matter. The presence of certain chironomid midges is often used as an indicator of water quality. Bodies of water in urban and suburban areas are subjected to intensive human use through residential, recreational and agricultural activities. Through runoff, these ponds and lakes often become exceedingly rich in nutrients. Consequently, the variety of organisms in such habitats is usually low with just a few pollution tolerant species developing large populations. Some species of chironomid midges that are tolerant of low dissolved oxygen conditions often are a major component of the bottom invertebrate organisms of urban and suburban lakes, ponds and storm water retention ponds. Most species of chironomid midges are highly desirable organisms in aquatic habitats. Midges are an important food source for fish and predatory aquatic insects. Larvae ¿clean¿ the aquatic environment by consuming and recycling organic debris.

Submitted by Crystal from Michigan

Q: Me and a friend are coming to Myrtle Beach April 28th - May 5th. We love to tan and we love very warm weather. Could we hope to get some of that this early in the summer season? I noticed temps right now are already getting into the low 70's, but I'm still nervous.

Answered 04/16/07 18:23:26 by Tonya Root

A: Crystal, Don't be nervous. You should expect temps to be in at least the mid to upper 70s. The average daily maximum temperature for your visit is about 82 degrees, which puts it right in line for last year's high during that time period of 83 degrees. For your visit you should plan on spending some time on the beach and enjoy the warm weather.

Submitted by Anonymous from Churchville NY

Q: Our extended family is looking to vacation in Myrtle Beach this summer (07). The only time we can find a nice house on the beach to rent that will accomodate all 17 of us is the last week in August. How will the weather be then and are we coming during peak hurricane season?

Answered 04/10/07 21:17:11 by Tonya Root

A: You should enjoy your time in Myrtle Beach, but do remain aware of any threatening tropical storms. You will be vacationing during a time just before the peak of hurricane season. Follow any orders issued by emergency officials if a storm does threaten. Otherwise, you should expect tempertures to be in the upper 80s. I hope you and your family have a safe trip and enjoy your visit.

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