WEATHER CONDITIONS AND GAMES
Posted: 8/19/2016
With the weather expected this weekend, you may review the lightning guidelines online under the health section: http://www.wiaawi.org/Health/Lightning.aspx
Keep in mind that we haven’t counted from the thunder to calculate in a long time. When thunder is heard or lightning is seen, suspend activity and take cover.
An app that comes in very handy is called Storm by Weather Underground: https://www.wunderground.com/micro/storm/
Here’s the Lightning information that is online:
These guidelines provide a default policy to those responsible or sharing duties for making decisions concerning the suspension and restarting of practices and contests based on the presence of lightning or thunder. The preferred sources from which to request such a policy for your facility would include your state high school activities association and the nearest office of the National Weather Service.
Proactive Planning
1. Assign staff to monitor local weather conditions before and during practices and contests.
2. Develop an evacuation plan, including identification of appropriate nearby safe areas.
3. Develop criteria for suspension and resumption of play:
a. When thunder is heard or a cloud-to-ground lightning bolt is seen, the leading edge of the thunderstorm is close enough to strike your location with lightning. Suspend play for thirty minutes and take shelter immediately.
b. Thirty-minute rule. Once play has been suspended, wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard or flash of lightning is witnessed prior to resuming play.
c. Any subsequent thunder or lightning after the beginning of the 30-minute count will reset the clock and another 30-minute count should begin.
4. Review annually with all administrators, coaches and game personnel.
5. Inform student-athletes of the lightning policy at start of season.
(Source: NFHS Rule Book)
For Football, the NFHS FB Rule Book states (pp. 38-39):
Rule 3 Periods, Time Factors and Substitutions
Section 1 Length of Periods
ART. 3 . . . A period or periods may be shortened in any emergency by agreement of the opposing coaches and the referee. By mutual agreement of the opposing coaches and the referee, any remaining period may be shortened at any time or the game terminated.
ART. 4 . . . Games interrupted because of events beyond the control of the responsible administrative authority shall be continued from the point of interruption, unless the teams agree to terminate the game with the existing score, or as otherwise provided for by state association adoption.
ART. 5 . . . When weather conditions are construed to be hazardous to life or limb of the participants, the crew of game officials is authorized to delay or suspend the game.
Making up a Game:
Keep in mind, any make up game must allow for three calendar days in between the postponed game and the next game. So a make up game must be Saturday or Monday to play on Friday. From the Fall Regulations (13):
d. A game or partial game (more than one quarter remaining) postponed because of weather or other unusual circumstances may be rescheduled in a week when another game is scheduled provided there is a minimum of three days without play between games.
Keep in mind that we haven’t counted from the thunder to calculate in a long time. When thunder is heard or lightning is seen, suspend activity and take cover.
An app that comes in very handy is called Storm by Weather Underground: https://www.wunderground.com/micro/storm/
Here’s the Lightning information that is online:
These guidelines provide a default policy to those responsible or sharing duties for making decisions concerning the suspension and restarting of practices and contests based on the presence of lightning or thunder. The preferred sources from which to request such a policy for your facility would include your state high school activities association and the nearest office of the National Weather Service.
Proactive Planning
1. Assign staff to monitor local weather conditions before and during practices and contests.
2. Develop an evacuation plan, including identification of appropriate nearby safe areas.
3. Develop criteria for suspension and resumption of play:
a. When thunder is heard or a cloud-to-ground lightning bolt is seen, the leading edge of the thunderstorm is close enough to strike your location with lightning. Suspend play for thirty minutes and take shelter immediately.
b. Thirty-minute rule. Once play has been suspended, wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard or flash of lightning is witnessed prior to resuming play.
c. Any subsequent thunder or lightning after the beginning of the 30-minute count will reset the clock and another 30-minute count should begin.
4. Review annually with all administrators, coaches and game personnel.
5. Inform student-athletes of the lightning policy at start of season.
(Source: NFHS Rule Book)
For Football, the NFHS FB Rule Book states (pp. 38-39):
Rule 3 Periods, Time Factors and Substitutions
Section 1 Length of Periods
ART. 3 . . . A period or periods may be shortened in any emergency by agreement of the opposing coaches and the referee. By mutual agreement of the opposing coaches and the referee, any remaining period may be shortened at any time or the game terminated.
ART. 4 . . . Games interrupted because of events beyond the control of the responsible administrative authority shall be continued from the point of interruption, unless the teams agree to terminate the game with the existing score, or as otherwise provided for by state association adoption.
ART. 5 . . . When weather conditions are construed to be hazardous to life or limb of the participants, the crew of game officials is authorized to delay or suspend the game.
Making up a Game:
Keep in mind, any make up game must allow for three calendar days in between the postponed game and the next game. So a make up game must be Saturday or Monday to play on Friday. From the Fall Regulations (13):
d. A game or partial game (more than one quarter remaining) postponed because of weather or other unusual circumstances may be rescheduled in a week when another game is scheduled provided there is a minimum of three days without play between games.
