Challenger Recreation Weather Guidelines
Simple weather guidance for coaches, referees, players and families.
Light rain does not normally mean a recreation game needs to be cancelled. Utah weather can also change very quickly, so don't cancel a game hours in advance just because the weather is bad right now.
Don't Cancel Too Early
We live in Utah. Weather can change dramatically in just a few hours.
A thunderstorm, heavy rain or strong wind several hours before your game does not necessarily mean those conditions will still exist at game time.
Check conditions again as game time gets closer. It could be beautiful by the time your game starts.
The goal is to avoid cancelling games unnecessarily while still making safety the priority when dangerous weather is actually affecting the game.
Check for League Weather Updates
When there are widespread weather concerns, smoke, unhealthy air quality, field closures, or other conditions that may affect many games, NUCS will post information for coaches and families.
Look for:
- Weather or cancellation information posted on the NUCS website
- Alert banners displayed in your My Team Schedule account
When air quality or other widespread conditions are a concern, check the NUCS website and My Team Schedule for league instructions before making your own cancellation decision.
Unless NUCS has announced a cancellation or fields have been officially closed, do not assume that games later in the day are cancelled simply because conditions are bad several hours before kickoff.
Contact the Other Coach
Your game in My Team Schedule includes the other coach's contact information.
If weather looks questionable as game time approaches, contact the other coach. There is no reason for both teams and all of their families to drive to a field when conditions are clearly unsafe.
At the same time, do not cancel several hours early simply because there happens to be a storm passing through.
Light Rain
Soccer is an outdoor sport. Players may get wet.
- Light rain or drizzle
- Cool or cloudy weather
- A wet field that is still safe
- Normal wind
- Normal changing Utah weather
If the field and conditions are safe, play the game.
Severe Weather at Game Time
This is different from a storm that happened several hours earlier.
If severe or dangerous weather is actually occurring as game time approaches, use common sense.
Contact the other coach through My Team Schedule and notify your families.
Also check the NUCS website and My Team Schedule for any league-wide weather or field notices.
If You Cancel, You MUST Notify the Referee
If you cancel your game, notifying your players and the other coach is not enough.
We need to know about the cancellation so we can make sure the referee does not travel to the field or wait for a game that is not going to be played.
- Notify the other coach.
- Notify your team.
- Email [email protected]
- Include your game number in the email.
- Clearly state that you are cancelling the game because of weather.
Referees may already be getting ready or traveling to the field. The sooner we know, the better chance we have of stopping the referee before they make an unnecessary trip.
Severe Weather During the Game
This includes lightning, severe thunderstorms, dangerous winds, hail, flash flooding or other conditions that make remaining at the field unsafe.
Do not try to squeeze in a few more minutes just to finish the game.
Do not stand around in dangerous weather discussing whether the game should continue.
When Rain Becomes Too Much
Rain itself is usually not the problem. The question is whether the field and playing conditions remain safe.
Stop playing if there is:
- Significant standing water
- Dangerously slippery footing
- Water accumulating rapidly
- Poor visibility
- Flash flooding
- Any condition making normal soccer unsafe
Smoke and Air Quality
Smoke and unhealthy air quality can affect many fields and games at the same time.
Do not assume that all games are cancelled simply because the air looks smoky. Check for league guidance and current conditions closer to your scheduled game time.
Official Field Closures
An official field closure must be respected even if the weather appears better by the time your game is scheduled.
Quick Weather Decision Guide
Stormy now, but the game is four hours away?
Wait. Don't cancel yet. Utah weather changes quickly. Check again closer to game time.
Smoke, unhealthy air, widespread storms or other major weather concerns?
Check the NUCS website and the alert banners in My Team Schedule for league updates.
Light rain?
Play if the field and conditions are safe.
Questionable weather near game time?
Contact the other coach through My Team Schedule.
Severe weather at game time?
Do not take unnecessary chances.
Game cancelled?
Notify your team and the other coach. Then email
[email protected]
with your game number and tell us the game is cancelled.
Severe weather during the game?
Stop playing, abandon the game if necessary, and get everyone to safety.
Field officially closed?
Do not play.
The Simple Rule
Don't cancel too early: Utah weather changes quickly.
Widespread weather, smoke or air-quality concerns: Check the NUCS website and My Team Schedule for league updates.
Light rain: Play if conditions are safe.
Questionable weather: Contact the other coach using My Team Schedule.
Severe weather at game time: Don't take unnecessary chances.
If you cancel: Notify your team and the other coach, then email [email protected] with your game number and cancellation.
Severe weather during the game: Stop playing and get everyone to safety.
When in doubt: Safety is more important than finishing a recreation soccer game.