Weather Guidelines

SEVERE WEATHER

Severe weather statements are issued by the National Weather Service.  A "WATCH" designates an area in which a severe storm, tornado, etc. is most likely to occur.  A "WARNING" is issued when an actual event has occurred.

LIGHTNING SAFETY

When indoors:

• stay there
• stay away from open doors, windows, fireplaces, radiators, stoves, metal pipes, sinks, and plug-in electrical equipment
• don't use plug-in electrical equipment
• don't use the telephone,

When outdoors:

• don't use metal objects
• automobiles offer excellent lightening protection, but are unsafe in tornado like conditions
• seek shelter in a building; if you cannot get indoors, seek shelter in the lowest place possible
• avoid hilltops, wire fences, exposed sheds, any electrically conductive object if you feel an electrical charge (your hair stands on end, skin tingles), DROP   TO THE GROUND IMMEDIATELY!  WHEN SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS OCCUR, ANY SCHOOL PERSONNEL HAS THE RIGHT TO SUPERSEDE THE AUTHORITY OF THE CONTEST OFFICIAL AND SUSPEND A CONTEST ON THE BASIS OF SAFETY

EXTREME COLD CONDITIONS

Listed below are the recommendations for outside exposure for the properly dressed.  Temperatures represent wind chill degrees Fahrenheit.

The maximum daily time limit for exposure to low temperatures (wind chill) are:

• Above zero wind-chill - no limit provided that the athlete is properly clothed
• Zero to -20 wind-chill - practice limited to one hour if properly clothed
• Below -20 wind-chill or 0 degrees actual Fahrenheit - no outdoor activity

EXTREME HEAT CONDITIONS

Listed below are guidelines for athletic participation during periods of extreme heat.  The numbers listed represent the apparent temperatures as determined by the Temperature Humidity Index (THI)

• THI greater than or equal to 100 degrees - all practices are suspended
• THI greater than 90 but less than 100 degrees - practices are limited to 90 minutes with periodic water breaks