Reports and Studies 2014 Review: 1975 Environment of Kiawah Report | Page 9

Summary & Analysis of the 1975 Kiawah Environmental Report 

Air Stagnation
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Rare

Thunderstorms
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Afternoon thunderstorms particularly in June, July and August cause high
winds, rain and, infrequently, tornados.

Winds
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Winter winds primarily blow from the northwest.
March – August winds are primarily from south.
September – December winds shift gradually from out of the northeast to blowing from the west.

Rainfall
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Annual average of 49 inches.
Greatest during summer.
Locally highly variable.

Tropical Cyclones
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From 1686 to 1972 South Carolina was adversely affected by tropical storms or
hurricanes 169 times.
It is unusual for tropical storms/hurricanes to make landfall along the South
Carolina coast.
Hurricanes approaching the South Carolina coast from the Atlantic side could
be a major threat to Kiawah Island.
A tropical cyclone making landfall to the southwest of Kiawah would cause the
greatest damage, particularly if landfall occurred during high tide.
During the 1975 study only limited data was collected (on July 2 – 3, 1975)
from three stations on the west side of the island.

Changes Since 1975
Hurricanes and Tropical Storms
Hurricane Hugo struck Charleston as a Category 4 storm on 21 September, 1989.
Storm surge and rough tides caused extensive damage, especially in Charleston
County. The highest storm surge observation was 20.2 feet (6.2 m) at Seewee Bay
near McClellanville.

Weather Stations on Kiawah
There are now three weather stations on Kiawah Island measuring and reporting
temperature, dew point, humidity, wind speed, wind gust, pressure and
precipitation.
• Cougar Point Golf Course:
www.weather.com/weather/hourbyhour/graph/1036379:5
• KICA Maintenance (from 1 May, 2006):
www.kica.us/weatherstation/Current_Vantage_Pro_PlusKICA.htm

Revised: May 2014_REV 8

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