North Carolina NCHSAA Heat Policy and WBGT Guidelines
The North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) sets heat limits for high school athletics by Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT). Here are the activity limits at each level, and how Sports Safe applies them to your fields.
Outdoor practice stops
90.0°F WBGT and above
North Carolina WBGT activity chart
No Flag
Under 80.0°F
Practice limit: None stated
Unlimited activity, with primary caution for new or unconditioned athletes and for extreme exertion. Schedule mandatory rest/water breaks: 5 minutes every 30 minutes.
Green Flag (low)
80.0 to 84.9°F
Practice limit: None stated
Normal practice. Closely monitor new or unconditioned athletes, and all athletes during extreme exertion. Schedule mandatory rest/water breaks: 5 minutes every 25 minutes.
Yellow Flag (moderate)
85.0 to 87.9°F
Practice limit: None stated
New or unconditioned athletes should practice at reduced intensity with clothing modifications. Well-conditioned athletes need more frequent rest and hydration, and close monitoring for signs of heat illness. Rest/water breaks: 5 minutes every 20 minutes. Have a cold or ice immersion pool on site.
Equipment: New or unconditioned athletes: reduced intensity and modified clothing.
Red Flag (high)
88.0 to 89.9°F
Practice limit: None stated
All athletes under constant observation and supervision. Remove pads and equipment. Rest/water breaks: 5 minutes every 15 minutes. Have a cold or ice immersion pool on site.
Equipment: Remove pads and equipment.
Black Flag (extreme)
90.0°F and above
Practice limit: No outdoor practice
Suspend all practices. Competition may continue with mandatory water breaks as designated by the gameday administrator.
| WBGT | Level | Practice limit | What the chart says |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 80.0°F | No Flag | None stated | Unlimited activity, with primary caution for new or unconditioned athletes and for extreme exertion. Schedule mandatory rest/water breaks: 5 minutes every 30 minutes. |
| 80.0 to 84.9°F | Green Flag (low) | None stated | Normal practice. Closely monitor new or unconditioned athletes, and all athletes during extreme exertion. Schedule mandatory rest/water breaks: 5 minutes every 25 minutes. |
| 85.0 to 87.9°F | Yellow Flag (moderate) | None stated | New or unconditioned athletes should practice at reduced intensity with clothing modifications. Well-conditioned athletes need more frequent rest and hydration, and close monitoring for signs of heat illness. Rest/water breaks: 5 minutes every 20 minutes. Have a cold or ice immersion pool on site. Equipment: New or unconditioned athletes: reduced intensity and modified clothing. |
| 88.0 to 89.9°F | Red Flag (high) | None stated | All athletes under constant observation and supervision. Remove pads and equipment. Rest/water breaks: 5 minutes every 15 minutes. Have a cold or ice immersion pool on site. Equipment: Remove pads and equipment. |
| 90.0°F and above | Black Flag (extreme) | No outdoor practice | Suspend all practices. Competition may continue with mandatory water breaks as designated by the gameday administrator. |
Key points
- Rest breaks tighten as the flag rises: 5 minutes every 30, then every 25, 20, and 15 minutes.
- A cold water or ice immersion tub is required on site from Yellow flag (85°F WBGT) upward.
- At 90°F WBGT and above, all practices are suspended, but competition may continue with mandatory water breaks set by the gameday administrator.
Common questions
- At what WBGT does outdoor practice stop in North Carolina?
- Using the NCHSAA heat policy, Sports Safe stops outdoor practice at 90.0°F WBGT.
- How long can practice last at each heat level in North Carolina?
- Under the NCHSAA heat policy, no practice time limit is stated below the level where outdoor practice stops. The chart relies on rest breaks and other restrictions instead.
- Does Sports Safe use the heat chart for North Carolina automatically?
- Yes. Sports Safe uses the NCHSAA chart for fields in North Carolina. You can choose a different chart for any field in its settings.
How Sports Safe uses the North Carolina chart
Sports Safe estimates WBGT for each of your fields from current weather, checks it against this chart, and alerts you when a field moves into a stricter level. On the Organization plan, coaches can keep a timestamped log of meter readings and the actions taken.
An app estimate supports your decisions but is not a WBGT meter. Where your association requires readings from an approved instrument, use one for the reading of record.
Source
Summarized from the NCHSAA's published heat policy. View the source. Last reviewed October 3, 2026.
Sports Safe is not affiliated with or endorsed by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. Policies change, so always confirm the current rules with your association and follow your school's emergency action plan.