North Carolina does not use the Georgia-derived chart that most southeastern states adopted, and the difference is not cosmetic. The NCHSAA scale runs on different band edges, uses a different break structure, and suspends practice at 90°F rather than letting it continue to 92°F.
It also does something no other state chart on this site does: at 85°F it bars new or unconditioned athletes from practising at all, while allowing conditioned athletes to continue. That is an explicit acknowledgement that the acclimatization state of the individual, not just the reading, decides the risk.
NCHSAA WBGT thresholds
Note that the break schedule is expressed as a five-minute break at a shrinking interval, rather than as a count of breaks per hour.
- Unlimited activity.
- Caution for new or unconditioned athletes, and during extreme exertion.
- Mandatory 5 minute water and rest break every 30 minutes.
- Normal practice.
- Closely monitor new or unconditioned athletes and all athletes during extreme exertion.
- Mandatory 5 minute water and rest break every 25 minutes.
- New or unconditioned athletes should not practice.
- Well conditioned athletes need more frequent breaks and cautious monitoring for symptoms.
- Mandatory 5 minute water and rest break every 20 minutes.
- Immersion pool on site for practice.
- All athletes must be under constant observation and supervision.
- Remove pads and equipment.
- Mandatory 5 minute water and rest break every 15 minutes.
- Immersion pool on site for practice.
- Suspend practice.
Why the North Carolina scale is stricter
Compare the top of the chart with Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Oklahoma and Tennessee, all of which permit a shortened, equipment-free practice between 90 and 92°F. North Carolina suspends at 90°F outright.
The band below is stricter too. At 88°F, North Carolina requires pads and equipment off and constant observation of every athlete, where the Georgia-derived charts allow helmets and shoulder pads up to 89.9°F.
If you run programs in more than one state, this is the trap. The number on the device means something different on each side of the border, and a coach moving from South Carolina to North Carolina carries a mental chart that is wrong by two degrees at the point where it matters most.
North Carolina compared with its neighbours
| WBGT | North Carolina | South Carolina | Georgia |
|---|---|---|---|
| 86°F | Unconditioned athletes may not practice; break every 20 min; immersion pool on site | Discretion for intense exercise; three 4-minute breaks per hour | Discretion for intense exercise; three 4-minute breaks per hour |
| 88°F | Pads and equipment off; constant observation; break every 15 min | Max 2 hours; helmets and shoulder pads permitted; four 4-minute breaks | Max 2 hours; helmets and shoulder pads permitted; four 4-minute breaks |
| 91°F | Practice suspended | Max 1 hour; no protective equipment; 20 minutes of rest | Max 1 hour; no protective equipment; 20 minutes of rest |
Check what your school is required to use before relying on an app. NCHSAA requires WBGT monitoring for outdoor activity, including summer workouts. Where an on-site instrument is required, the WBGT app is a planning and cross-checking tool rather than the compliance reading.
Warning signs of heat illness
Heat stress shows up before it becomes an emergency. Anyone on site should speak up immediately on any of these:
When in doubt, cool first and call for help. Collapse or confusion in the heat should be treated as possible exertional heat stroke: begin cold-water immersion immediately and call 911. Cooling comes before transport.
Know before the buses leave
The app forecasts WBGT hourly and 14 days out for any North Carolina town, which is the difference between rescheduling a session and cancelling one after everyone has arrived.
- Real-time WBGT for your location or any city
- Hourly and 14-day WBGT forecasts to plan ahead
- Color-coded flag levels with mode-specific guidance
- Humidity, wind, sun and cloud cover behind every reading
WBGT is estimated from weather data with the peer-reviewed Liljegren model. Where a policy requires on-site measurement, use the app for planning and as a cross-check alongside your instrument.
Common questions
What WBGT suspends practice in North Carolina?
90.0°F WBGT and above. That is stricter than most southeastern states, which allow a shortened, equipment-free practice between 90 and 92°F before stopping.
Can unconditioned athletes practice in North Carolina heat?
Not at 85°F WBGT or above. The NCHSAA chart states that new or unconditioned athletes should not practice from 85°F, while well conditioned athletes may continue with more frequent breaks and close monitoring.
When does NCHSAA require an immersion pool on site?
From 85°F WBGT upward, the chart calls for an immersion pool on site for practice, and the requirement continues through the 88 to 89.9°F band.
How often are breaks required in North Carolina?
The interval tightens with the reading: a five-minute water and rest break every 30 minutes below 80°F, every 25 minutes from 80°F, every 20 minutes from 85°F and every 15 minutes from 88°F.
Does the NCHSAA heat policy apply to summer workouts?
Yes. Schools are required to monitor wet bulb globe temperature for outdoor activity, and the chart must be followed during summer workouts as well as in-season practice.
Related WBGT guides
Know the real heat number
Real-time WBGT, flag levels and forecasts. Free on iPhone.
