Weather, Lightning & Air Quality Guidelines
Quick reference for NUCS/UCSC coaches, referees and teams.
⚡ Lightning & Thunder
If the distance cannot be determined, use the lightning-to-thunder guideline:
- If lightning is seen and thunder is heard within 30 seconds, seek shelter immediately.
- Players, coaches, referees and spectators should move to an appropriate safe location.
- Do not resume play until at least 30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder event.
- Every new lightning or thunder event restarts the 30-minute waiting period.
□️ Rain & Wet Fields
Rain alone does not automatically cancel a game. Games can normally continue in rain as long as the field and playing conditions remain safe.
A game should be stopped or cancelled when conditions become unsafe, including:
- Significant standing water
- Dangerously slippery or muddy conditions
- Poor visibility
- Severe weather creating a safety hazard
- The field becoming unsafe or unplayable
Official Field Closure
Coaches and referees cannot override an official field closure.
□️ Smoke & Poor Air Quality
UYSA has a specific procedure for games affected by smoke and poor air quality.
- AirNow / EPA is the primary source for determining air quality.
- PurpleAir may be used when the game location is not available through AirNow.
- A game may be cancelled for poor air quality up to three hours before kickoff when the applicable AQI is RED.
- Follow UYSA's required notification procedure when cancelling because of air quality.
❄️ Snow, Ice & Hail
Snow by itself does not necessarily mean a game must be cancelled. Play should not begin or continue when snow, ice, hail or freezing conditions make the field or playing environment unsafe.
- Ice or dangerously slippery areas
- Snow covering important field markings
- Poor visibility
- Accumulation making the field unsafe or unplayable
- Hail or severe conditions that could injure participants
□ High Winds & Severe Weather
Wind alone does not automatically cancel a game. Play should be suspended or terminated when wind creates a safety hazard.
- Goals becoming unstable
- Flying debris
- Dangerous blowing dust
- Severely reduced visibility
- Other conditions making continued play unsafe
⏸️ Suspended vs. Terminated
⏱️ When Does a Weather-Shortened Game Count?
Whether the score stands depends on how much of the second half has been played.
| Age Group | Required Second-Half Time | Result |
|---|---|---|
| U9–U14 | 10 minutes or more | Game is complete. The score at termination stands. |
| U15–U19 | 15 minutes or more | Game is complete. The score at termination stands. |
⚠️ What If the Game Is Stopped at Halftime?
The score is 2–1 at halftime. Lightning arrives during halftime and everyone seeks shelter.
Conditions do not improve and the game cannot safely resume.
The 2–1 score does not become the final score.
The game must be rescheduled and replayed in its entirety from 0–0.
Examples After Halftime
Lightning stops play and the game cannot resume.
Because U9–U14 requires at least 10 minutes of the second half, the game is considered complete.
The score at termination stands.
Lightning stops play and the game cannot resume.
U15–U19 requires 15 minutes of the second half.
The game is not complete and must be rescheduled and replayed from 0–0.
Quick Weather Decision Guide
If Weather Terminates the Game
| Situation | What Happens? |
|---|---|
| U9–U14: 10+ minutes of second half played | Game complete — score stands |
| U9–U14: Less than 10 minutes | Reschedule — replay entire game from 0–0 |
| U15–U19: 15+ minutes of second half played | Game complete — score stands |
| U15–U19: Less than 15 minutes | Reschedule — replay entire game from 0–0 |
| Game terminated at halftime | Reschedule — replay entire game from 0–0 |