A, somewhat, comprehensive history of TS weather from 1930-2010

Posted on 6/6/11 at 9:11 pm

Posted by RummelTiger

Official TD Sauces Club Member

Member since Aug 2004

93217 posts

Posted on 6/6/11 at 9:11 pm

Okay, so there has been a lot of talk lately as to the hottest, and coldest, games in Tiger Stadium history, so I decided to do a little research.

For my data, I have included every game from September 20, 1930, until November 20, 2010. I realize that TS has been in use since 1924 and that LSU’s first home game was in 1894, but the website (WeatherUnderground) I used to gather my climatology data only went back to 1930. I’ve included the month, date, the high temperature for the day, the average humidity percentage, the heat index, and whether LSU won, or lost. Since the board cannot handle the excel format, you will notice that the line for the year will include the average air temperature and the average heat index, when applicable.

I used the high temperatures because I didn’t feel like taking the time to research kickoff times, and I used the average humidity for mostly the same reason. While it might not give you the exact conditions at game time, it will at least give you an idea as to how comfortable, or unbearable the day was. Humidity percentages were not available on WeatherUnderground until 1948; therefore, heat indices will only be from 1948 – 2010. You will also notice that the only games that have a humidity percentage attached to it are those that had temperatures at 80° or above. Anything below 80° just really isn’t affected all that much. I figured out the average air temperature and heat index, but left out the average humidity. Below, is a descriptive analysis of individual games, and seasons, then a simple breakdown by the numbers.

Individual Games:

First and foremost, and there is really no debating this, the hottest game in TS history, from both an air temperature and heat index standpoint, was on September 2, 2000, against Western Carolina. The high that day was a scorching 102°, and the humidity came in at 62%, thus making the heat index an oppressive 140°. Yes, that’s correct…140°. The next highest air temperature was 95°, which was accomplished twice, once on September 8, 1990, when the University of Georgia came to town, and again on August 30, 2008, when Appalachian State. So, if you are one of the 87,188 that was cooked to medium-rare while watching the Tigers beat-up on Western Carolina, then congratulations on surviving what is, most likely, the hottest day in Tiger Stadium history.

Cold…you want cold? Well, then you came to the wrong place. As it turns out, the coldest high temperature in Tiger Stadium since 1930, came all the way back on December 17, 1932, as the Tigers hosted the Oregon Ducks. Unfortunately, about 22,000 Tiger faithful turned to pop-sickles as the Ducks defeated the Tigers 12-0. There is actually a much greater disparity between this game and the next coldest, compared to the hottest. While the hottest game has only a 7° difference from the next hottest, the next coldest high was 45°, which was reached on December 5, 1964, while the University of Florida was in town. So, the 29° day in ’32 is the coldest in TS history since 1930, by 16°.

Season:

The hottest season, in regards to air temperature, came in 1990. The hottest game of the season was UGA on September 8th, when it reached 95°, and the coolest game was a balmy 80° on October 20th for Kentucky. The September loaded front-end of the season, combined with only one game each in October and November, easily helped to make this the hottest season in TS since 1930.

As for the hottest in relation to heat index, it becomes much more of a competition. Considering the three game minimum, 2004 and 2008 basically tied with heat indices of 107.4 and 107.3 respectively. Two memorable games stand out from these two years. 2004 was the Oregon State game, with a heat index of 118°, and the thunderstorm that brought the pre-game streaker, and OSU’s kicker missing a game tying extra point in OT, thus securing an LSU victory. Many of you have long talked about the Appalachian State game in 2008, as being the hottest game ever. While it might not be that, it does rank near the top with a 123° heat index.

So, in seasons where the humidity was factored into the equation at least three times, the heat index averaged 100°, or higher, 16 out of 62 times (1948-2010).

Dear Mr. Alleva, can we please get a domed stadium?

By the numbers…

Baby Gold Bond© Awards

Single Game:
Hottest Air Temperature: 102°, September 2, 2000 – W. Carolina
Hottest Heat Index: 140°, September 2, 2000 – W. Carolina
Most Humid: 100%, Many times

Season:
Hottest Season (Air Temp): 87.4°, 1990
Hottest Season (Heat Ind) 3 Game Min: Virtual Tie - 107.4°, 2004 & 107.3°, 2008
Other Items of Interest:

Average Home Game Temp (1930-2010): 77.81°
Coldest Air Temperature: 29°, December 17, 1932 – U. of Oregon

Other Notable Swamp arse Games:
September 8, 1990 (UGA): Heat Index – 126°
September 16, 1995 (Auburn): Heat Index - 125°
September 20, 1997 (Auburn): Heat Index - 120°
September 4, 1999 (San Jose State): Heat Index - 126°
September 23, 2002 (Miami, OH): Heat Index - 121°
August 30, 2008 (Appalachian State): Heat Index - 123°
September 18, 2010 (MS State): Heat Index - 124°

*Last note: This is not, AT ALL, scientific – simply just me thinking that the idea was interesting. I hope you feel the same.