Inclement Weather Safety Guidelines for Outdoor Play

As warmer weather and changing air quality conditions affect outdoor sport, participants, team representatives, coaches, and referees are reminded that player safety remains the top priority. Games may be modified, delayed or cancelled when heat, lightning, poor air quality, excessive wind or other severe weather creates unsafe conditions.

Decisions will be based on conditions at or near game time and may be made by KWSC Executive, district officials, referees, or municipalities, depending on the situation and location.

Game-Time Authority

Even when a broad cancellation has not been issued, referees and teams may still modify, shorten or abandon play if conditions at the field become unsafe. Municipal field closures related to extreme heat, air quality or severe weather will also take precedence.

Field conditions may vary across the region and can change significantly before or during a game. If the referee determines that a field is unsafe or unplayable due to standing water, saturated turf or other hazardous conditions, they have the authority to delay, suspend or cancel the match.

If a game is cancelled before completion, or abandoned after it has begun, please email kwsc.communications@gmail.com and presidentkwsc@outlook.com with the game details so that the Club can determine the appropriate next steps.

Heat and Humidex Guidelines

KWSC follows the summer heat and air quality guidelines as described by SOSA, while retaining discretion to interpret and apply those guidelines based on local conditions.

SOSA recommends suspending play where the temperature at the start of play is predicted to be over 37 degrees Celsius or humidex of 40 degrees Celsius with an air quality index of high risk 7-10.

SOSA Heat and Air Quality Guidelines

Canadian Soccer/Ontario Soccer Lightening Policy

Air Quality Protocols

Poor air quality is treated as a safety concern in the same way as lightning or other severe weather. Forecasted and observed Air Quality Health Index values will be used to determine whether games proceed, include additional breaks or are cancelled.

How Decisions Will Be Communicated

Where possible, cancellation decisions will be shared by mid-afternoon to allow time for teams, officials and players to be notified. Updates will be posted on the KWSC website, and game cancellations will be sent to team representatives as well as referees.