Many Iowans know that the girls' high school basketball state tournament has a reputation for bad weather — winter storms, specifically. Does it deserve this reputation? To answer this question, we delved into nearly 90 years of tournament weather history. Girls state basketball goes back 100 years, but early tournaments were held in various cities around Iowa, sometimes much later in the spring than today. For this reason, we limited our analysis to tournaments held after 1936. Snowstorms are no longer so frequent, and since then, only three girls have survived. The state championships coincided with “winter storm” level snowfall in Des Moines — meaning at least 6 inches over a two-day period. Only one out of five tournaments saw at least one inch of snow. More than half of the tournaments (49 total) were completely snow-free. So why does the girls' tournament have a bad reputation? Several bad years in a row It seems possible that many Iowans began to associate the state championship with snow during the 1960s. After the 1959 championship game between Gladbrook and West Central (Maynard), snow forced thousands of people to spend the night in Veterans Memorial Hall. The following year, more than 7 inches of snow fell in Des Moines over four days of basketball games. Measurable snow would eventually affect five straight tournaments between 1959 and 1963. Top 10 Snowiest Girls State Championships 1999 – 12.3 inches 1948 – 10.0 inches 2013 – 9.4 inches 1960 – 7.6 inches 1959 – 4.3 inches 2008 – 4.2 inches 1963 – 4.0 inches 1961 – 3.8 inches 1940 – 3.7 inches 196 2 – 2.7 inches (held in Waterloo) Ironically, there has not been an official snow tournament in Des Moines since the 2013 storm. The past 10 years have been the longest snow-free stretch since the tournament moved to Late February and early March. Noteable caveats: It should be noted that all of these stats apply to snow only, only to Des Moines, and only during tournament-specific days. The 1998 tournament was followed by an 11-inch snowstorm the previous weekend. Other years brought heavy snow to Iowa but spared the Des Moines area. In 1990, it wasn't snow but a historic ice storm that paralyzed much of the state during tournament events. Forecast for this year: There is one chance of snow this time. Light snow is possible Tuesday night, but any accumulations are expected to be minimal. There could be enough snow to cause brief visibility problems for travelers Tuesday night, thanks to winds gusting more than 40 mph. After Tuesday, the outlook looks mostly dry. Temperatures rise from Thursday to Saturday.
Many Iowans know that the girls' high school basketball state tournament is known for bad weather — winter storms, specifically.
Does it deserve this reputation?
To answer this question, we delved into nearly 90 years of tournament weather history.
Girls state basketball dates back more than 100 years, but early tournaments were held in various cities around Iowa, sometimes much later in the spring than today.
For this reason, we limited our analysis to tournaments held after 1936.
Snow storms are not frequent
Since then, three girls-only state tournaments have coincided with “winter storm” level snowfall in Des Moines — meaning at least 6 inches over a two-day period.
Only one in five tournaments saw at least an inch of snow.
More than half of the tournaments (49 total) were completely snow-free.
So why does the girls' tournament have a bad reputation?
Several bad years in a row
It seems possible that many Iowans began to associate the state championship with snow during the 1960s.
After the 1959 championship game between Gladbrook and West Central (Maynard), snow forced thousands of people to spend the night in Veterans Memorial Hall.
The next year, more than 7 inches of snow fell in Des Moines during four days of basketball games.
Measurable snow would end up affecting five consecutive championships between 1959 and 1963.
Top 10 Snowiest Girls State Championships
- 1999 – 12.3 inches
- 1948 – 10.0 inches
- 2013 – 9.4 inches
- 1960 – 7.6 inches
- 1959 – 4.3 inches
- 2008 – 4.2 inches
- 1963 – 4.0 inches
- 1961 – 3.8 inches
- 1940 – 3.7 inches
- 1962 – 2.7 inches (held at Waterloo)
Ironically, there has been no snow at the state tournament in Des Moines since the 2013 storm.
The past 10 years have been the longest snow-free stretch since the tournament moved to late February and early March.
Noticeable warnings
It is worth noting that all of these statistics apply only to snow, in the city of Des Moines only, and during the days specified for the tournament only.
The 1998 tournament came on the heels of an 11-inch snowstorm the previous weekend. Other years brought heavy snow to Iowa but spared the Des Moines area. In 1990, it wasn't snow but a historic ice storm that paralyzed much of the state during tournament play.
Predictions for this year
There is one chance of snow this time. Light snow is possible Tuesday night, but any accumulations are expected to be minimal. There could be enough snow to cause brief visibility problems for travelers Tuesday night, thanks to winds gusting more than 40 mph.
After Tuesday, the outlook looks mostly dry. Temperatures rise from Thursday to Saturday.
