Vermont VPA Heat Policy and WBGT Guidelines
The Vermont Principals' Association (VPA) sets heat limits for high school athletics by Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT). Here is the VPAchart as shown in the UNC Southeast Regional Climate Center's WBGT tool, with the activity limits at each level and how Sports Safe applies them to your fields. Confirm the details with the VPA.
Outdoor practice stops
86.1°F WBGT and above
Vermont WBGT activity chart
No Flag
Under 76.2°F
Practice limit: None stated
Normal activities, no modifications necessary.
Green Flag (low)
76.2 to 81.0°F
Practice limit: None stated
Normal activities, regular practice and game prep. Discretion for intense or prolonged activity; watch at-risk players. At least three rest/fluid breaks each hour of 4+ minutes each.
Yellow Flag (moderate)
81.1 to 84.0°F
Practice limit: 2 hours
Increase the rest:work ratio, 15 to 20 minutes of activity followed by 4+ minute rest/fluid breaks. Maximum practice length 2 hours.
Equipment: Practice in shorts, helmets and shoulder pads only. No equipment may be worn for conditioning activities.
Red Flag (high)
84.1 to 86.0°F
Practice limit: 1 hour
Increase the rest:work ratio, 20 minutes activity to 6+ minutes rest, with 20 minutes of rest distributed through the hour. Maximum practice length 1 hour. No conditioning activities. Move the session outside 11am to 4pm.
Equipment: Practice in SHORTS ONLY, all protective equipment removed.
Black Flag (extreme)
86.1°F and above
Practice limit: No outdoor practice
No outdoor workouts. May delay practice until a cooler WBGT reading occurs.
| WBGT | Level | Practice limit | What the chart says |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 76.2°F | No Flag | None stated | Normal activities, no modifications necessary. |
| 76.2 to 81.0°F | Green Flag (low) | None stated | Normal activities, regular practice and game prep. Discretion for intense or prolonged activity; watch at-risk players. At least three rest/fluid breaks each hour of 4+ minutes each. |
| 81.1 to 84.0°F | Yellow Flag (moderate) | 2 hours | Increase the rest:work ratio, 15 to 20 minutes of activity followed by 4+ minute rest/fluid breaks. Maximum practice length 2 hours. Equipment: Practice in shorts, helmets and shoulder pads only. No equipment may be worn for conditioning activities. |
| 84.1 to 86.0°F | Red Flag (high) | 1 hour | Increase the rest:work ratio, 20 minutes activity to 6+ minutes rest, with 20 minutes of rest distributed through the hour. Maximum practice length 1 hour. No conditioning activities. Move the session outside 11am to 4pm. Equipment: Practice in SHORTS ONLY, all protective equipment removed. |
| 86.1°F and above | Black Flag (extreme) | No outdoor practice | No outdoor workouts. May delay practice until a cooler WBGT reading occurs. |
Key points
- Vermont sets work-to-rest ratios: 15 to 20 minutes of activity, then at least 4 minutes of rest at Yellow; 20 minutes of activity, then at least 6 minutes of rest at Red.
- At Red flag, practice may not be held between 11am and 4pm, and is in shorts only with all protective equipment removed.
Common questions
- At what WBGT does outdoor practice stop in Vermont?
- Using the VPA chart, Sports Safe stops outdoor practice at 86.1°F WBGT.
- How long can practice last at each heat level in Vermont?
- Under the VPA chart, the practice time limits are: Yellow Flag (moderate), 81.1 to 84.0°F: 2 hours; Red Flag (high), 84.1 to 86.0°F: 1 hour. Levels not listed have no time limit stated, and at the top level outdoor practice stops.
- Does Sports Safe use the heat chart for Vermont automatically?
- Yes. Sports Safe uses the VPA chart for fields in Vermont. You can choose a different chart for any field in its settings.
How Sports Safe uses the Vermont 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
This is the VPA chart as shown in the UNC Southeast Regional Climate Center's WBGT tool. It has not yet been checked against the VPA's own published policy, so confirm the details with the VPA. View the source. Last reviewed July 23, 2026.
Sports Safe is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Vermont Principals' Association. Policies change, so always confirm the current rules with your association and follow your school's emergency action plan.