Oklahoma's Extreme Heat Policy differs from its neighbours in three ways that matter in practice.
It splits the state into two regions with different thresholds, because a population acclimatized to consistently hotter conditions tolerates a given reading differently. It covers marching band alongside athletics rather than leaving band outside the policy. And it is one of the few state policies that explicitly accepts internet-based applications and phone apps as a means of measurement, naming specific products.
OSSAA WBGT activity guidelines, both regions
Region 2 runs roughly 2 to 3°F lower across every band. Confirm which region your school sits in before using either column.
| Region 2 | Region 3 | Activity guidelines |
|---|---|---|
| Under 79.7°F | Under 82.0°F | Normal activities. At least three separate rest breaks each hour, minimum 3 minutes each. |
| 79.7 to 84.6°F | 82.0 to 86.9°F | Use discretion for intense prolonged exercise. At least three separate rest breaks each hour, minimum 4 minutes each. |
| 84.7 to 87.6°F | 87.0 to 90.0°F | Maximum practice time two hours. Football restricted to helmet, shoulder pads and shorts; if the reading rises to this level mid-practice players may continue in football pants. All sports: at least four rest breaks each hour, minimum 4 minutes each. |
| 87.7 to 89.7°F | 90.1 to 92.0°F | Maximum practice time one hour. Football: no protective equipment and no conditioning. All sports: 20 minutes of rest breaks distributed through the hour. |
| Over 89.8°F | Over 92.1°F | No outdoor activity. Delay until a cooler WBGT is reached. |
Oklahoma accepts apps, and says which ones
Most state policies require a scientifically approved on-site instrument, and several say explicitly that phone apps do not qualify. Oklahoma takes the opposite position.
OSSAA member schools must use a scientifically approved instrument that measures WBGT or other scientifically proven methods, such as an internet-based weather station software or application. The policy then lists acceptable options by name, including the Kestrel 5400, on-site weather station services such as Perry Weather and Earth Networks, the Oklahoma Mesonet WBGT product, the UNC convergence tool, and named phone apps.
The timing requirements differ slightly by method. An on-site instrument is set up 30 minutes before practice and read 15 minutes before the start. An internet-based application is also checked at the 15-minute mark. Either way, readings are taken every 30 minutes during practice, and schools are required to record and keep the readings on file.
Rapid cooling zones and the emergency action plan
- Each member school's emergency action plan must include procedures for exertional heat emergencies with onsite rapid cooling using cold-water immersion or equivalent.
- Rapid cooling zones are required for every outdoor athletic and marching band contest, practice, workout or conditioning session held at 82.0°F WBGT or higher.
- A cooling zone must have immediate availability of cold-water immersion tubs, or tarps that can be filled with ice and water and wrapped around the individual, the TACO method.
- Ice sponges, towels, water misters and shade are encouraged additions. A trained employee or volunteer to administer immersion is recommended.
- Coaches must promote unrestricted access to water. A student athlete should never be denied water.
- All athletic coaches and marching band directors must annually complete the relevant NFHS course and keep the certificate on file.
Competitions
The practice thresholds do not apply to OSSAA competitions, but any contest played at 82.0°F WBGT or higher must have a rapid cooling zone on site, available for full body rapid cooling.
For football, if the reading at kickoff is in the red band, 90.1 to 91.9°F, a mandatory three-minute hydration break is taken at approximately the six-minute mark of each quarter until the reading falls back to orange. If kickoff is above 92.1°F, breaks are taken at approximately the four and eight-minute marks of each quarter. Players remove helmets and go to the sideline, and no coaches are allowed on the field.
This policy accepts an app or internet-based source for the reading. OSSAA names internet-based weather station software and phone applications among acceptable methods, alongside on-site instruments. The WBGT app computes the number with the peer-reviewed Liljegren model on live weather data. It reports ambient conditions at your coordinates, so it cannot see a hot artificial turf field the way an on-site device can; where you have a known hot surface, measure on it.
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.
An accepted method, plus the forecast
Because Oklahoma accepts an application for the reading, the app can cover both halves: the 15-minute pre-practice check and the every-30-minute readings, plus the 14-day forecast for building the schedule. Keep recording the readings; OSSAA requires them on file.
- Live WBGT for your field or any Oklahoma town
- Readings on demand for the 30-minute interval
- Hourly and 14-day forecasts for scheduling
- Useful for marching band rehearsal planning too
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
Does OSSAA allow phone apps for WBGT?
Yes. The OSSAA Extreme Heat Policy permits a scientifically approved instrument or other scientifically proven methods, explicitly including internet-based weather station software or applications, and names several acceptable products and phone apps.
What are the Oklahoma WBGT regions?
OSSAA splits the state into Region 2 and Region 3, with Region 2 thresholds running roughly 2 to 3°F lower at every band. Region 3 uses the familiar 82.0 / 87.0 / 90.1 / 92.1 structure; Region 2 stops outdoor activity above 89.8°F.
Does the OSSAA heat policy cover marching band?
Yes. Rapid cooling zones are required for outdoor athletic and marching band contests, practices, workouts and conditioning sessions at 82.0°F WBGT or higher, and marching band directors must complete the NFHS band safety course.
How often are WBGT readings required in Oklahoma?
The first reading is taken 15 minutes before practice starts, with an on-site instrument set up 30 minutes prior. Readings continue every 30 minutes during practice, and schools are required to record and keep them on file.
Do Oklahoma practice limits apply to games?
No. The practice guidelines do not apply to competitions, but a contest at 82.0°F WBGT or higher must have a rapid cooling zone on site, and football has mandatory hydration breaks when the kickoff reading is 90.1°F or above.
Related WBGT guides
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