Bad Weather Conditions:
In the event of bad weather, the fields will remain open unless the soccer fields become unplayable due to a dangerous playing surface or high winds. A dangerous playing surface is based on the amount of rainfall received within a short period of time. This will be determined by 3 pm. In the event that the fields are open and practices have begun, the coaching staff on site will decide if practices need to be delayed or cancelled based on real time conditions.
Bad Weather Cancellation Notification:
GSA will always attempt to be proactive in cancellations of practice or games due to bad weather. In the case of bad weather cancellations, you should check our website for field status. In addition, Coaches and Team Managers will be notified via the Coach/TM GroupMe communications to relay communications to our families.
Player Drop Off For Practices:
If bad weather or lightning is in the forecast, we ask that parents do not drop their kids off for practice and LEAVE the facility. Please stay in the case of a possible practice delay or field closure due to weather.
Excessive Heat Policy & WBGT Index:
Player safety is our top priority. We actively track heat conditions using the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index, which factors in temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation to measure heat stress on the body.
Understanding WBGT: Please note that a WBGT reading of 90.0 is not an ambient temperature in Fahrenheit. It is a comprehensive environmental heat-stress index calculated in real time by our Perry Weather system. See Perry Weather WBGT for more information.
Live Monitoring: Real-time conditions are monitored on-site. You can check current Perry Weather WBGT readings at any time directly on our Field Info page.
Hard Stop Threshold (WBGT 90.0+): The key point is that 90.0+ is the strict threshold at which all field activities stop. When the WBGT reaches 90.0, all field practices, scrimmages, and matches are subject to being postponed or cancelled until the index drops below 90.0.
Resuming Activity (WBGT Below 90.0): Once the WBGT falls back to 90.0 or below, field activities may resume. Required heat-safety measures will remain in effect, including mandatory hydration breaks, extended rest periods, and equipment modifications as needed.
Cold Weather:
All activities at the GSA Fields will be cancelled if the air temperature is 35 degrees or lower OR the temperature with wind chill (the effective temperature) is 35 degrees or lower.
Lightning Policy:
In the event of lightning, GSA operates on 20/30 rule. This means if a lightning strike occurs within 20 miles of the soccer fields, then fields are cleared for a minimum of 30 minutes. This is determined using our handheld lightning monitor.
Lightning Procedures:
In the event of the soccer fields being cleared of teams due to lightning within 20 miles, it is vital that players, parents, coaches and volunteers get into their cars immediately. If the delay is extended to 45 minutes into the practice session, then that practice will be cancelled. For example, if practice begins at 6:00 PM and the last lightning strike occurred at 6:05 PM, then the earliest the players could return to the fields would be 6:50 PM. In this example, practice would be cancelled for the 6:00-7:30PM session. Remember to never stand in parking lots, under trees, under the pavilion, or anywhere near water during a lightning delay. Please get into your vehicles with the windows rolled up.
