1. Purpose
Establish procedure to promote the safety of program participants during occurrences of
severe weather
2. Scope/Definition(s)
The following areas are addressed by this policy:
Removal of participants and spectators from athletic fields during occurrences of
lightning
Building closures during inclement weather
Warnings for additional severe weather including excessive heat and high winds
3. Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of Recreation and Parks staff and their designees (including
volunteers) to notify program participants regarding severe weather and necessary
actions
4. Procedure
THUNDER & LIGHTNING: Once observed or heard, all athletic fields and outdoor
organized program areas must be cleared for a period of 30 minutes. If observed or
heard again, the 30 minute period begins again
SNOW: When schools are closed/close early due to inclement weather or if school
activities are closed due to inclement weather, all recreation and parks activities for that
day are cancelled. For weekend activities, if the snow emergency plan is in effect after 8
pm Friday or anytime Saturday, all Saturday activities are cancelled. If the snow
emergency plan is in effect after 8 pm Saturday or anytime Sunday, all Sunday activities
are cancelled. This includes activities that occur at school sites, nature centers, senior
centers, Charles Carroll Community Center, Linton Springs Community Room, New
Windsor Community Room, and the Robert Moton Center.
o Special Note: If Carroll County Public Schools close, and the snow emergency
plan has been lifted, programs, meetings and such held at private facilities may
be conducted (added 2021).
WIND: When a high wind warning is issued by the National Weather Service (NWS),
outdoor activities shall not operate within close proximity of trees, power lines and other
potential hazards. The NWS defines a high wind warning as sustained wind speeds of
40 mph or greater lasting for 1 hour or longer or 58 mph or greater for any duration of
time.
HEAT: Approximately 30 minutes prior to the start of the activity, temperature and heat
index reading should be taken at the site or from www.weather.com or a comparable
source. The following are recommended guidelines for coaches, program leaders and
volunteers to follow with regards to Department sponsored youth activities:
o Heat Index – 80-89: Use caution, monitor athletes carefully for necessary action
o Heat Index 90-104: Use extreme caution; remove helmets and other equipment
if not involved in contact
o Heat Index 105-129: Alter uniforms by removing items where feasible; practice
time should be shortened with low intensity & limited conditioning
o Heat Index 130 & above: No practice or games. Activities should be
rescheduled for early/late in day or an alternative date when heat index is lower,
o NOTE: Some discretion is granted to the volunteers in making this decision as
programs may be occurring at sites with abundant shade, water & varying
breezes. In all cases, once the heat index rises above 105, programs should
allow for frequent cooling breaks, reduced activity levels and mandatory water
breaks of 10 minutes in duration every 30 minutes
EXTREME COLD TEMPERATURES: Department sponsored youth activities:
o Temperatures above 32 degrees: no restrictions
o Temperatures between 13 – 31 degrees: Indoor breaks every 20-30 minutes
o Temperature or wind chill is below 13 degrees: No outdoor activities; Wind chill
may be calculated by entering temperature and wind speed at
www.weather.gov/epz/wxcalc_windchill
5. References
For further information, email ccrec@carrollcountymd.gov or call 410-386-2103