Weather Policy

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District Soccer will always prioritize the safety of players, referees, staff, and spectators. Weather can change dramatically in the D.C. area, with storms clearing up or changing course. District Soccer makes pregame decisions with the following factors in mind. When weather is expected to be severe, our operations team will be monitoring the weather, and will send out any cancellations via email or text at minimum an hour before your game time. If no cancellation is communicated, games are on

For any game canceled due to weather, league administrators will reach out with next steps. 

To learn more District Soccer weather policy with regards to specific weather conditions please see below:

Severe Weather

Lightning or Thunder Overhead Stop the game immediately and seek shelter. Play can resume after 20 consecutive minutes without thunder or lightning.
Tornado, Severe Thunderstorm, or Flash Flood Warning A Tornado Warning, Severe Thunderstorm Warning, or Flash Flood Warning means that dangerous conditions are occurring or imminent. Games may not begin or continue while a warning affecting the field is in effect. Game play may be delayed or postponed depending on the conditions while a warning is in effect. A warning issued earlier in the day does not automatically cancel games scheduled after the warning is expected to expire. District Soccer will evaluate any warning’s timing, field conditions, and potential effect on players’ travel before determining whether games can safely proceed. District Soccer will always err on the side of player safety.
Severe Thunderstorm or Flood Watch A Severe Thunderstorm Watch or Flood Watch means that conditions are favorable for dangerous weather to develop, but that dangerous weather is not necessarily occurring or imminent. A watch alone does not automatically cancel games. Unless District Soccer announces otherwise, games remain on as scheduled. District Soccer and league officials will continue monitoring conditions. Ordinary rain alone will not normally cancel games, but lightning, an official warning, unsafe field conditions, flooding, or a facility closure may require games to be delayed, suspended, or canceled.

extreme heat

District Soccer utilizes the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature chart that considers the effects of heat and humidity.

WBGT in Farenheit: 

<85 (white/green): Games proceed

85-88 (Yellow): Games proceed with 1 minute hydration breaks in each half.

88-90 (Red): District Soccer will evaluate conditions at the time of game. 

Above 90 (Black): Cancellation

winter weather

District Soccer plays indoor and outdoor games in the winter season. Indoor games will proceed regardless of weather conditions unless otherwise communicated or snow accumulation impacts transportation significantly. 

14°F or below Depending on conditions or lack of (wind chill, rain, etc) at game time, most likely a cancellation due to extreme cold.
15°F to 20°F Games proceed, with likely cancellations if conditions at game time include rain, wind chill, or storms.
20°F to 39°F Games proceed.

AIR QUALITY

Code Green/Yellow (Good) AQI 0-100 Games proceed.
Code Orange (AQI 100-150) Games will proceed, but District Soccer may adjust game times or cancel depending on the air quality forecast. Players in sensitive groups are encouraged to avoid or reduce time outside.
Code Red/Purple (AQI 151-300) Games are cancelled.