Nestled in the subtropical climate of Brazos County in central Texas, Bryan Independent School District (ISD) is no stranger to unpredictable weather. From scorching heat to sudden lightning strikes, the district faces constant weather challenges, making the safety of students and athletes a top priority for officials. 

For over two decades, Josh Woodall, Assistant Athletic Director and former Head Athletic Trainer, has been at the forefront of weather safety for Bryan ISD’s athletic programs. “Part of my job is helping our student-athletes and teams be successful,” says Woodall. 

Today, Bryan ISD relies on Perry Weather’s weather safety platform to safeguard students and enhance operational efficiency.

Weather Safety in Texas: The Challenge for Bryan ISD

For Bryan ISD, quick and accurate weather updates aren’t a luxury—they’re a necessity. Spanning 453 miles and serving over 16,000 students, Bryan ISD sits in a region known for its warm and humid summers, frequent thunderstorms, and heat waves. 

The school district covers several surrounding communities, each with distinct weather patterns that complicate tracking — and necessitate weather monitoring. 

The Early Days: Thor Guard and DTN WeatherSentry

Initially, Bryan ISD relied on Thor Guard to monitor lightning activity. “We liked the outdoor siren, but we quickly realized we needed something more accurate,” Woodall recalls. The system often missed nearby lightning strikes and triggered false alarms and delays, leading to significant safety concerns. 

The district then turned to using DTN for weather monitoring. Although this solution was more precise, they soon found that it also missed a key component for weather safety. 

“With DTN, our coaches received alerts when lightning was detected in the area, and they knew when it was all clear,” says Woodall. However, the lack of an outdoor audible siren was a significant drawback. “We missed the audible siren with DTN. Coaches don’t carry their phones when they’re throwing BP at baseball practice,” he notes.

The Quest for a Better Solution

With Perry Weather, the district found the perfect combination of accuracy, reliability, and ease of use. Perry Weather’s weather safety platform includes features like:

• Real-Time Lightning Detection: Immediate alerts for lightning activity in the area.
• Outdoor Warning System: An audible siren and strobe lights to alert coaches and athletes during dangerous weather.
• Countdown Timer: A visual timer that counts down to when it is safe to return outside after a lightning strike.
• Automated WBGT Monitoring: Real-time updates on Wet Bulb Globe Temperature to manage heat stress effectively.
• Instant Alerts and Instructions: Coaches receive immediate notifications when WBGT thresholds change, along with actionable guidance.

Perry Weather offered the precision and dependability Bryan ISD needed for weather monitoring. “Perry Weather’s stations have been vital in keeping us safe when the weather changes rapidly.” notes Woodall.

Meeting the UIL Guidelines and Simplifying Heat Safety

One of Bryan ISD’s most significant challenges is managing heat stress, especially given the recent University Interscholastic League (UIL) recommendation to mandate wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) measurements. 

Previously, athletic trainers like Woodall used handheld devices, which required manual setup and calibration. “We had to set up WBGT units manually, wait for them to acclimate, and then communicate the results. It was a whole process.”

Since switching to Perry Weather, Bryan ISD has automated its WBGT monitoring, and coaches and staff receive real-time alerts directly on their devices. This means less time setting up equipment and more focus on the athletes. 

Athletic staff no longer have to manually monitor and log temperature readings. “Perry Weather makes my job easier because coaches are informed right away when WBGT thresholds change. “I’m no longer surprising people with information that they didn’t have. I’m not telling them that they have to delay their practice, or they can’t go outside right now.” 

Why the Audible Siren Was a Game-Changer for Lightning Detection

Lightning safety is a critical concern for Bryan ISD, especially during practices and games. “Texas had the most lightning strikes in the U.S. in 2023,” Woodall points out. That alone highlights the need for an accurate, dependable system to keep students safe. 

One of the biggest challenges for the district’s athletic teams was ensuring that everyone—coaches, athletes, and spectators—knew when it was time to seek shelter before and during a lightning strike.

Perry Weather’s outdoor warning system and lightning countdown timer solved this issue. Now, if lightning is detected within a certain range, the system immediately sounds an audible siren and flashes strobe lights to alert everyone. 

Woodall notes, “Perry Weather’s outdoor siren and strobe light have made lightning safety seamless. It gives our coaches a lot more freedom. They don’t have to rely solely on their phones for weather updates. The siren lets them know immediately what’s going on.”

“Having the countdown timer built into the platform makes it easy for everyone to stay on the same page,” Woodall explains. “The system resets if there’s another strike, and when the timer hits zero, we know it’s safe to go back outside.” 

Consistency Across the Board: The Impact of Unified Weather Safety

For a district as large as Bryan ISD, having a unified weather safety system is critical. Each school in the district now has access to Perry Weather, ensuring consistent safety measures are in place across all athletic programs. Woodall observes, “With Perry Weather, every coach, trainer, and administrator is in the loop. It’s a unified system that keeps everyone safe and informed.” 

This not only keeps the district compliant, but also streamlines operations and frees up valuable time for athletic trainers and coaches to focus on the students rather than the weather. “Before, only the athletic trainer saw the WBGT readings. Now, everyone can access the data at the same time, making my job a lot easier.” 

Protecting 16,000+ Students with Real-Time Weather Monitoring

Bryan ISD’s transition to Perry Weather has not only simplified decision-making for its staff but has also created a safer environment for its 16,000+ students. The system’s real-time weather monitoring, automated alerts, and outdoor warning system ensure that everyone is aware of potential dangers—whether it’s lightning or extreme heat.

For Bryan ISD, Perry Weather has proven to be more than just a weather monitoring system—it’s become an essential tool for ensuring student safety and operational efficiency. “I’m no longer walking in with bad news,” exclaims Woodall. With Perry Weather’s automated alerts and real-time monitoring, those headaches are a thing of the past. 

“As an athletic administrator, it makes my life a lot easier knowing that our coaches have the resources to make informed decisions,” says Woodall. “They can communicate with parents quickly and get information out to them, so parents can make decisions for their family.”

“Perry Weather automates everything, saving us time and effort. It has changed the way we manage weather safety at Bryan ISD. It’s reliable, easy to use, and gives us the peace of mind we need.”