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State Weather Policies > 2024/2025 Rhode Island Weather Policies

Rhode Island State Weather Policies for Schools (2024/2025)

Welcome to the Rhode Island Weather Policy Guide, a handy resource for understanding the Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL) weather policies and guidelines for athletics. We’ve streamlined the details so you get the information you need.

Heat Stress Activity Recommendations

What are the RIIL Heat Stress Activity Guidelines for 2024/2025?

Rhode Island WBGT Activity Guidelines

WBGT Activity Guidelines

The Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL) recommends the use of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) as the preferred measurement for measuring heat/humidity levels for practices and contests. Here are the RIIL’s recommended WBGT guidelines:

  • By the start of fall sports practice in 2025, an instrument scientifically approved to measure Wet Bulb Globe Thermometer (WBGT) must be utilized at each practice if the WBGT is within 5-10 degrees fahrenheit of green flag conditions (76.1 F).
  • Although use of a WBGT is preferred as a best practice for use prior to the start of fall sports practice in 2025, if a WBGT is not available, the heat index for the approximate location of activity may be determined.
  • WBGT readings should be taken on the practice site a minimum of every 30 minutes, beginning 30 minutes before the beginning of practice.
Rhode Island WBGT Zones and Heat Acclimatization

Rhode Island WBGT Zones

Rhode Island is a Class 1 zone state. Here are the recommendations based on the RIIL:

  • The first six days of RIIL approved practice will consist of no more than 3 hours of practice time.
  • Drink before, during, and after practices and games. Drink 16 ounces of fluid 2 hours before exercise. Drink another 8 to 16 ounces 15 minutes before exercise During exercise, drink 4 to 16 ounces of fluid every 15 to 20 minutes.
  • The NFHS SMAC strongly recommends that coaches, certified athletic trainers, physicians, and other school personnel working with athletes not provide or encourage use of any beverages for hydration of these youngsters other than water and appropriate sports drinks.
  • Student athletes should be exposed gradually to hot and/or humid environmental conditions to provide better heat acclimatization.

How Can Perry Weather Help?

WBGT Monitoring System

Precise on-site WBGT monitoring

For athletic trainers and directors prioritizing athlete safety, Perry Weather offers precise on-site wet bulb globe temperature monitoring.

 

Guide your coaches and staff in taking the right actions with hyper-local WBGT monitoring and alerts tailored to your heat stress policies.

  • Accurate WBGT offers a more precise understanding of real-world conditions than heat index, ensuring safety and informed decision-making for all outdoor activities.
  • Automatic WBGT measurements are instantly recorded and stored, ensuring you stay compliant without the tediousness and potential errors of traditional manual methods.
  • We translate data into practical steps based on heat stress policies and local regulations – from hydration reminders to activity adjustments, we ensure safety first.
Automated Mobile Alerts

Automated heat stress policy based alerts

Automatic instructive alerts and warnings are triggered based on your policies, keeping you compliant and confident in your decision-making so everyone on your staff knows what to do when WBGT levels are high.

  • Automated Warnings: Push notifications and text message alerts with automatic action instructions once WBGT threshold is breached
  • Custom Quiet Times: Pause notifications during weekends or nighttime, ensuring disturbance-free periods for when practices and games aren’t taking place
  • Configurable Settings: Configure specific user and warnings settings that fit your organization’s needs
Proactive Heat Stress Updates

Predictive Heat Stress Warnings

Get heat and WBGT risk updates based on your policies, so you’re not caught by surprise and are able to adjust outdoor activities accordingly.

  • Set customized alerts to be notified when WBGT levels reach critical thresholds, ensuring timely action to protect athletes from heat-related illnesses.
  • Our team stays up-to-date on evolving state regulations to help schools and athletic trainers implement heat stress guidelines effectively.

Heat Stress & WBGT FAQs

What is Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT)?

Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) is a measurement that assesses heat stress conditions by taking into account the air temperature, relative humidity, radiant heat, and air movement. Read more about WBGT here.

What is the difference between the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature and the Heat Index?

Wet bulb globe temperature in a nutshell is a more in-depth heat stress measurement taking into account more of the environment (Direct sunlight, water vapor capacity, cloud coverage, etc.). Read more about the differences between WBGT and the heat index here.

How does WBGT impact athletes?

Monitoring WBGT is essential for protecting athletes’ health and safety during outdoor practices, games, and events.

A higher WBGT reading leads to a greater risk of heat-related illnesses like heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and muscle cramps.

 

 

What is Heat Acclimatization?

Heat acclimatization is your body’s way of adapting to hot environments.

By gradually increasing your workload or exposure time in hot conditions over 1-2 weeks, you can significantly improve your heat tolerance.

This reduces the risk of heat stress and allows you to perform better in hot weather.

What is a Heat Illness?

There are two main ways heat illness can strike:
1. Classic Heat Illness: This is caused by your environment’s impact on your body’s ability to cool down. Think high temperatures, humidity, direct sun, and no breeze.
2. Exertional Heat Illness (EHI): This one focuses on your own internal heat production. It can happen even in mild weather if you push yourself too hard.

What is the science behind WBGT?

Wet bulb globe temperature involves measuring three temperatures: dry bulb, wet bulb, and globe. Read more here.

What is the difference between Heat Stress and Heat Illness?

Imagine heat stress as a warning light on your body’s dashboard. If heat stress isn’t addressed, it can progress to heat illness. This is a medical emergency where the body can no longer cool itself down effectively. It can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. Read more here.

How can I measure the WBGT? What is the best way to measure the wet bulb globe temperature?

To measure WBGT, use a scientifically approved WBGT meter. The best way to measure it is by using Perry Weather’s advanced weather monitoring platform.

Lightning Policy Guidelines

Lightning Safety Recommendations

The Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL) has outlined lightning safety guidelines for the suspension of play and planning and monitoring activities:

  • Assign staff to monitor local weather conditions before and during practices and contests.
  • Develop an evacuation plan, including identification of appropriate nearby safer areas and determine the amount of time needed to get everyone to a designated safer area.
  • Thirty-Minute Rule – Competition or practice shall be suspended once lightning has been recognized or thunder is heard.
  • When thunder is heard or lightning is seen*, the leading edge of the thunderstorm is close enough to strike your location with lightning. Suspend play for at least 30 minutes and vacate the outdoor activity to the previously designated safer location immediately.
  • Once play has been suspended, wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard or lightning is witnessed* prior to resuming play.
  • Any subsequent lightning or thunder after the beginning of the 30-minute count shall reset the clock, and another count shall begin.

How Can Perry Weather Help?

Lightning Alerts & Safety

Instantly Tailor Alerts to Your Lightning Safety Policies

Perry Weather’s lightning detection and alerts system gives you clear, actionable instructions aligned with your lightning safety policies.

  • We’ll notify you as soon as lightning is detected with automated alerts. We guide you through immediate actions, keeping your athletes safe and practices on track.
  • Automatic alerts and real-time data for informed decision-making during critical weather events.
Lightning Countdown Timer

Know When It’s Safe to Resume Activities

Know exactly when it’s safe to step out after a lightning strike with Perry Weather’s lightning countdown timers.

  • When a lightning strike is detected nearby, Perry Weather initiates a countdown until given the all-clear and resuming outdoor activities.
  • The timer resets with each subsequent strike, ensuring adherence to lightning safety protocols before resuming activities
  • Stay a step ahead with advanced radar and predictive lightning risk management for confident event planning and adaptive scheduling.
Integrated Outdoor Warnings and Siren

Outdoor Warning System

Get custom PA alerts and audible alarms with our lightning warning system.

  • Instantly broadcast alerts and safety messages automatically across your campus – no matter the weather conditions.
  • Strobe lights, loud alarms, and text-to-speech make sure you won’t miss lightning alerts.
  • It works even during power outages, ensuring continuous safety without needing a direct power source.

Lightning FAQs

What do I do if lightning strikes?

  • Activate local Emergency Management Service.
  • If necessary, carefully move the victim to a safer location.
  • Assess airway, breathing, and circulation; initiate CPR if needed.
  • Check for and treat hypothermia, shock, fractures, and burns.

What do I NOT do if lightning strikes?

  • Do not shower, bathe, or use landline phones inside a safe shelter (cell phones are OK).
  • Avoid being the highest point in an open field, or near the tallest object.
  • Stay away from any open water.
  • Do not seek shelter under or near trees, flagpoles, or light poles.
  • Do not lie flat on the ground.

What is a Safe Shelter?

A safe shelter is any frequently inhabited building with four solid walls (not a dugout), electrical and telephone wiring, and plumbing, which aid in grounding the structure.

Where Do I Go When Lightning Approaches?

  • Designate a safe shelter for each venue.
  • All individuals have the right to leave an athletic site to seek a safe structure if they feel in danger of impending lightning.
  • As a secondary option, a fully enclosed vehicle with a metal roof and completely closed windows provides safety from lightning.
  • Do not touch any part of the vehicle’s metal framework during a thunderstorm.

Can a player who has been struck by lightning be safely touched by others?

Yes. Lightning victims do not carry a residual electrical charge. However, prioritize checking for injuries and call emergency services immediately.

Who is responsible for enforcing lightning safety protocols during practices or games?

Responsibilities may vary, but typically coaches, athletic trainers, and officials share the responsibility for monitoring weather conditions and enforcing safety procedures.

What if there are no readily available shelters nearby?

Some policies allow for designated “safe havens” under sturdy structures like bleachers (away from metal supports) or inside enclosed vehicles with the windows rolled up. However, this is a last resort.

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