KU Recreation Services Weather Policies
KU Recreation Services Weather Policies
Cold weather is defined as any temperature that can negatively affect the body’s regulatory system. Cold weather exposure can be life-threatening. Shivering is a means for the body to generate heat and serves as an early warning sign. Excessive shivering contributes to fatigue and makes performance of motor skills more difficult. Other signs include numbness, pain, swelling, and redness in fingers and toes or a burning sensation of the ears, nose, or any exposed flesh. As cold exposure continues, the core temperature drops. When cold reaches the brain, the victim may exhibit sluggishness, poor judgement, and may appear disoriented. Speech becomes slow, and movements become clumsy. Common cold exposure injuries include: frostbite and hypothermia.
Below are the following guidelines KU Recreation Services staff will adhere to for cold weather policies.
Wind Chill Factor of 15 degrees or below: No outside play/practice
Wind Chill Factor of 16 to 21 degrees: No more than 15 minutes outside per session. Participants may return after 15 minutes indoors.
Wind Chill Factor of 22 to 25 degrees: No more than 30 minutes outside per session. Participants may return outside after 30 minutes indoors.
Wind Chill Factor of 26 to 32 degrees: No more than 60 minutes outside per session. Participants may return outside after 15 minutes indoors.
Wind Chill Factor above 32 degrees: Normal play/practice.
With a safety-first priority, on-site staff can also make the decision to alter, postpone, or delay programs or activities using information gathered from WeatherSentry (weather.dtn.com). In addition, on-site staff can use professional discretion to alter, postpone, or delay play based on many other factors that can include, but are not limited to, the following: play environment, condition of participants, type of activity being played, and physical or medical limitations that participants may tell them about.
*Please note: KU Recreation Services is not responsible for providing alternative space in the event that an activity/event/game is cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.
Activity modification decisions should be based on the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) which is the most reliable indicator in determining the overall risk of heat illness during athletic participation in periods of elevated heat and humidity. WBGT is a measure of air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, sun angle, and cloud cover.
These recommended modifications will be applied to any activity taking place outdoors OR in un-airconditioned facilities.
All participants should bring their own water supply.
At-risk participants should monitor their conditions closely.
All participants should take responsibility to stay hydrated, monitor exercise levels, and respond accordingly.
KU Recreation Services is not responsible for providing alternative space in the event that an activity/event/game is cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.
In the event of a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning, on-site KU Recreation Services staff will clear the fields of all participants until the expiration of the warning.
If lighting has been detected within 8 miles of the facility, all fields will be cleared and play suspended until 30 minutes after the last lightning strike. On-site KU Recreation Services staff will receive notifications regarding lightning from the WeatherSentry app when lightning has been detected within 8 miles of the playing facility.
The on-site KU Recreation Services staff member will have the authority to suspend play if they suspect field conditions to be unsafe. It is recommended that all participants and staff are evacuated to vehicles, not under trees or out in the open.
KU Recreation Services is not responsible for providing areas/spaces to shelter in place in the event of severe weather.