“As a public administrator, the last thing I want is for a student or anybody else to get hurt, and Perry Weather helps us sleep a little bit better at night.”
For Derek England, Athletic Director at Paramus High School in New Jersey, managing the weather used to mean flipping between multiple weather apps and hoping for the best.
“I was constantly switching between Weather Underground, AccuWeather, The Weather Channel—looking at different forecasts just to figure out when we could get a game in.”
It was exhausting guesswork, and completely manual. Not the ideal way to make decisions that affect athlete safety. That was years ago, back when Derek was coaching baseball.
Fast-forward to today, and things look very different. Weather calls at Paramus are now backed by real-time data, automated alerts, and total visibility, all thanks to Perry Weather.
After Thor Guard Let Them Down, Perry Weather Stepped In
Paramus originally adopted Perry Weather to replace Thor Guard, their previous lightning detection provider.
When the school was still using Thor Guard, Derek experienced a string of inconsistent alerts—some that came too late, and others that came for no reason at all.
“We had instances with Thor Guard where we’ve seen lightning, but the alarm did not go off, and then there were other times where there was nothing around, and the alarm went off and we had to take people off the field.”
The breaking point? Trust. And that’s where Perry Weather came in.
Perry Weather’s lightning detection changed the game overnight. Derek notes that, “with Perry Weather, the difference is just night and day.”
With lightning detection rings set up at a 10, 30, and 30-mile radius, Derek and his team now get early warnings that make sense, and give them enough of a heads-up to always stay safe.
“When it’s 10 miles away, we know we have to shut things down immediately. We’re able to tell exactly where the lightning is and getting those alerts as far as 30 miles out gives us a little bit more time to plan with coaches.”
More than just early warnings, Perry Weather delivers strike data powered by the National Lightning Detection Network—the same network trusted by NASA, the U.S. Military, and emergency operations across the country.
For Derek, it wasn’t just about better alerts—it was about trusting the system behind them. “Perry Weather is the best I’ve seen.”
But what started as a simple upgrade to their lightning detection system turned into something bigger: a smarter, more reliable way to protect athletes, plan practices, and stay one step ahead.
Complying with NJSIAA Heat Stress Policies
Lightning detection may have brought Perry Weather to Paramus, but it was the automated WBGT tracking that proved just as impactful.
Under NJSIAA guidelines, schools are required to follow WBGT-based (Wet Bulb Globe Temperature) heat safety thresholds. Previously, this meant athletic trainers had to manually collect heat readings in the middle of the field, making it time-consuming and inconsistent.
“Before, that meant trainers standing in the sun with a handheld manual sensor. Now, Perry Weather does it all for us.”
Perry Weather tracks WBGT in real time and sends clear, color-coded alerts—green, yellow, orange, or red—straight to coaches by email or widget. With this information in hand, coaches can adjust schedules on their own, without waiting on a trainer or checking separate sources.
“Soccer sees it’s yellow, they move practice to 6pm, check field availability with me, and we’re done. There’s no need for a trainer to even get involved or take any unduly risks when it comes to lightning. Perry Weather really has our back.”
From Chaos to Coordination: What Perry Weather Makes Possible
Instead of relying on various weather sources and making reactive decisions, Paramus now operates from a single, shared source of truth. The school benefits from:
- Real-time, automated lightning detection with trusted strike data and lightning alerts within a 10, 20, and 30 mile-radius for early decision-making
- Automated WBGT tracking for instant heat stress monitoring
- WBGT readings tracked and updated continuously throughout the day
- Automated alerts that instantly go to coaches, staff, and decision-makers
- Seamless compliance with NJSIAA heat stress policy without extra effort
- Full transparency across teams, coaches, and facilities staff, and shared access to conditions, not just a single device or opinion
“It’s about knowing the information is solid,” says Derek. “I’m not questioning the weather anymore. We just act.”
By centralizing weather safety under one reliable platform, Perry Weather empowers every stakeholder to make faster, better decisions with full confidence in the data behind them.
No More Losing Sleep Over Weather Safety
For Derek, weather safety has never just been about forecasts. It’s about accountability—and peace of mind.
“If a game gets delayed, that’s fine. If an official can’t find parking, I’ll deal with it.” he says. “But if a student gets hurt—that’s not something I can live with.”
That’s the heart of why Paramus made the switch. Inconsistent alerts and guesswork from their previous system left too much room for doubt. With Perry Weather, Derek finally has what he was missing: a system he can trust.
From real-time WBGT readings that keeps coaches informed, to lightning detection that gives precious time to prepare, Perry Weather has transformed the way Paramus handles safety.
It’s not just about avoiding false alarms. It’s about creating a reliable process where everyone, from trainers to coaches to athletic director, knows exactly what’s happening and what to do.
“The system has our back. It gives us clarity. It gives us confidence. And at the end of the day, Perry Weather helps us sleep a little bit better at night.”
Looking to replace outdated weather systems with a weather safety platform your whole team can trust? Try Perry Weather for free for 14 days and see the difference for yourself.
