North Carolina NCHSAA Heat Guidelines

North Carolina's activity chart starts stricter than most states' and escalates through four steps to full suspension at 90 °F WBGT. This page follows the current handbook — which keeps the familiar thresholds and quietly drops several clauses older copies still circulate.

Measurement: a scientifically approved device

The current handbook's wording: "WBGT should be measured (using a scientifically approved device) for all sports when student-athletes may be at risk for exertional heat illness (EHI)." It continues: "WBGT should be accessed every hour beginning 30 minutes before the beginning of practice." Earlier editions allowed a weather-station or airport reading within a few miles of the field; the current handbook contains no such clause. Treat an on-field device as the standard, and anything remote — including this site — as planning input only.

Why North Carolina is not in the policy picker

NCHSAA's thresholds are a different family from this site's flag bands (80/85/88/90 versus 82/87/90/92 °F). Wiring them into the flag scale would print a verdict the association's own chart contradicts, so this page shows NCHSAA's chart in its own two columns and North Carolina stays deliberately absent from the forecast tool's policy picker. Older editions also printed a five-colour code next to the chart; the current handbook does not.

NCHSAA WBGT Index and Athletic Activity Chart

WBGT index (°F)Athletic activity guideline
Less than 80
  • Unlimited activity, with primary cautions for new or unconditioned athletes and for extreme exertion.
  • 5 min water/rest break every 30 min
80 - 84.9
  • Normal practice; closely monitor new or unconditioned athletes, and all athletes during extreme exertion.
  • 5 min water/rest break every 25 min
85 - 87.9
  • New or unconditioned athletes should have reduced-intensity practice and modifications in clothing. Well-conditioned athletes should have more frequent rest breaks and hydration, with cautious monitoring for heat illness symptoms.
  • Have a cold or ice immersion pool on site for practice.
  • 5 min water/rest break every 20 min
88 - 89.9
  • All athletes must be under constant observation and supervision.
  • Remove pads and equipment.
  • Have a cold or ice immersion pool on site for practice.
  • 5 min water/rest break every 15 min
90 or above
  • Suspend all practices. Competition may continue with mandatory water breaks as designated by the gameday administrator.

How binding is it?

The chart's own verbs are mostly "should" — but the handbook's health and safety section is explicit about the policy that contains them: "All schools should have a heat illness prevention and management policy for all sanctioned activities and this policy must be followed." Read the chart as the content of a policy your school is required to follow, and confirm the current handbook language with the NCHSAA before relying on it.

The chart and quotations above come from the 2025-26 NCHSAA Handbook (§2.3.5 Prevention of Heat Illness and §2.3.3), cross-checked against the current print edition on 2026-08-09. NCHSAA Handbook 2025-26, §2.3.5 Prevention of Heat Illness — WBGT Index and Athletic Activity Chart

wbgtcheck.com is an independent tool. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the UIL, GHSA, NFHS, NATA, or any state athletic association.