Census ZIP Code Tabulation Area
Will ZIP 50315 have a white Christmas?
Snow-on-the-ground odds near Des Moines, IA, for December 25, 2026.
The historical picture
The validated 1991–2020 spatial model indicates an estimated 39% chance of at least one inch of snow on the ground at this ZCTA’s Census internal point.
ACS population
34,816
Land area
10.3 sq mi
Nearest station
2 mi
3DEP elevation
925 ft
Climate period
1991–2020
This is a Census ZCTA, not a USPS delivery-route boundary. Its internal point is 2 miles from Des Moines. The estimate retains all four NOAA source stations and their interpolation weights.
Frequently asked questions
- Will ZIP 50315 have a white Christmas?
- Its validated 1991–2020 historical estimate is 39%, or about about 4 years in 10. Inside the forecast window, live ensemble guidance is blended with that history.
- Is this the exact USPS ZIP boundary?
- No. The Census Bureau creates ZIP Code Tabulation Areas to approximate the geography of USPS ZIP Codes. USPS delivery routes can change and do not form a permanent national polygon dataset.