Real-World Strategies for Monitoring, Compliance, and Protecting Athletes from Heat Stress
As heat stress policies become more formalized across the country, New Jersey schools are facing new pressures to standardize weather safety protocols—especially around wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) monitoring.
The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) has laid out clear heat safety zones and mandates that must be followed during practice and games.
To help athletic staff, coaches, and administrators stay compliant and confident, we hosted a webinar with four key voices:
- Tracey Power, Athletic Trainer at West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South
- Derek England, Meteorologist at Perry Weather
- Mike Christopoulos, Account Manager at Perry Weather
- Spencer Patton, Senior Growth Marketing Manager at Perry Weather
Together, they discussed New Jersey’s specific guidelines, how schools are adapting on the ground, and what role automation and technology can play in simplifying WBGT compliance.
Watch the full session or keep reading for highlights, FAQs, and takeaways from the discussion.
What This Webinar Covers
The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) follows a statewide WBGT-based policy for managing heat stress—but that doesn’t make implementation any easier. In this webinar, we break down:
- Why WBGT is more accurate than heat index or “feels like” temperature
- How to automate heat stress tracking and avoid manual logging headaches
- The dangers of relying on free apps or handheld tools for compliance
- What recent New Jersey-specific WBGT data reveals about summer heat trends
- How to reduce risk while maintaining high-performance practices
- The value of historical heat logs for audits, planning, and policy reviews
Whether you’re using manual handheld meters like Kestrels or free weather apps, this session breaks down what’s at stake—and how to move from reactive to proactive heat safety.
Key Takeaways from the NJSIAA Webinar
1. New Jersey follows a unified, statewide Class 3 heat policy
- New Jersey uses a single, unified Class 3 WBGT policy statewide, which is the least restrictive category and prevents conflicts between neighboring districts.
- However, this requires diligent management at the local level due to on-site factors like hot turf fields or the unique layout of a campus.
- Proactive communication and planning are essential, especially when conditions enter the Orange Zone and require safety modifications.
2. Preseason workouts aren’t covered—but they still matter
- Summer conditioning and early-season training often happen before official NJSIAA heat rules take effect.
- Despite this, ADs like Derek England emphasized the need to monitor WBGT year-round, not just in-season.
- With Perry Weather, coaches get alerts directly, so even when athletic trainers are off-duty, decisions are still safe and compliant.
3. Manual tracking isn’t practical or consistent
- NJSIAA requires WBGT to be recorded hourly, starting 30 minutes before activity.
- Trainers like Tracey Power described the stress of juggling Kestrels, clocks, multiple locations, and overlapping practices.
- Perry Weather simplifies this: on-site sensors track WBGT automatically every 5 minutes, and logs are generated with zero manual effort.
4. Real-time alerts eliminate second-guessing
- Perry Weather sends mobile alerts to all key staff—coaches, ADs, and ATs see the same info at the same time.
- The alert tells them what zone they’re in and what action is required, removing any ambiguity.
- As Power noted: “They can’t say, ‘You didn’t tell me.’ They got the alert.” That documentation strengthens both communication and legal protection.
5. Historical data supports smarter planning—and stronger defenses
- Perry Weather logs every WBGT reading, every 5 minutes, giving schools a full archive for audits, investigations, or policy reviews.
- Comparing 2024 and 2025 trends, there were more red and black zone days across New Jersey this year, especially in inland areas.
- That data helps schools adjust practice times, schedule breaks, and plan ahead with confidence.
6. Handheld devices aren’t reliable alone
- Handheld Kestrels are common, but they come with limitations: battery issues, poor exposure readings, smaller black bulbs, and human error.
- Tracey Power acknowledged using one as backup, but said Perry Weather’s automation is a “game-changer” for accurate, consistent compliance.
- When the margin of error is a few degrees, it’s not worth the risk.
7. Lightning alerts and automation bring peace of mind
- Perry Weather doesn’t just monitor heat—it automatically triggers alerts for lightning and even security incidents.
- Alerts can be tied to outdoor sirens and PA systems, so no one misses the message.
- As Derek England put it: “When the sirens go off, there’s no debate. It’s not my call—it’s science.” That clarity prevents arguments and improves emergency response.
FAQs from the NJSIAA Webinar
What’s the difference between Heat Index and WBGT?
Heat Index is air temperature + humidity, while WBGT factors in temperature, humidity, sun exposure, and wind. WBGT provides a more accurate picture of heat stress risk. Learn more here.
Why do some handheld WBGT devices read differently than a weather station?
Handhelds can be influenced by direct sunlight, poor placement, or sensor size. Shielded, fixed weather stations give more stable, accurate readings.
How often do WBGT sensors need calibration?
Most modern WBGT weather stations are factory-calibrated and don’t require ongoing recalibration like handheld devices often do.
Do you still need a handheld device if you’re using a weather station?
Not usually unless you are traveling to an away-field that does not have an on-site sensor or weather station. Weather stations automate the readings and log the data, reducing human error and daily manual measurements.
How should practices or work sessions adjust as WBGT rises?
Most policies call for staged modifications: reduced practice length, lighter equipment, structured breaks, and eventually moving indoors or cancelling.
What should you do if WBGT jumps zones mid-activity?
Continue monitoring closely. Adjust immediately if the WBGT moves into a more restrictive zone; if it reaches critical levels, pause activity until conditions improve.
Can reports show time spent in each WBGT zone?
Yes—automated systems like Perry Weather can log and export historical WBGT data, including breakdowns of how long conditions stayed in each threshold.
Are apps that estimate WBGT reliable?
Many phone-based WBGT apps rely on estimates and are often inaccurate. On-site sensors provide real-time, trusted readings.
Do different surfaces (turf vs. grass vs. track) affect WBGT readings?
Research shows WBGT differences between surfaces are typically small (less than 1°F). One well-placed station is usually sufficient for a campus or site.
Why is WBGT more accurate than temperature or “feels like”?
Temperature alone ignores humidity, sun, and wind. Heat Index ignores direct sunlight and wind. WBGT includes all of these critical factors.
How do microclimates affect WBGT readings?
Local conditions (shade, wind tunnels, proximity to water, etc.) can create variations. That’s why on-site sensors are important instead of relying on regional forecasts.
Can WBGT data be used for compliance or liability protection?
Yes. Logged WBGT readings provide a record showing that decisions were made based on objective safety data, which helps with compliance and incident review.
What’s the overall benefit of automated WBGT monitoring?
Automated WBGT monitoring saves staff time, reduces mistakes, ensures consistent enforcement of heat safety policies, and provides transparency across teams and organizations.
Thanks for joining us. We hope the webinar gave you practical takeaways for managing heat stress and keeping athletes safe. Perry Weather removes the guesswork from weather safety decisions—try it yourself with a free two-week trial.
