Generally, MUFA uses definitions and protocols promoted by the National Weather Service. When in doubt, check the National Weather Service Milwaukee-Sullivan Field Office Page for any active watches, warnings and advisories. https://www.weather.gov/mkx/
01 - Field Closure Policies
02 - Severe Weather Policies
03 - Heat Policies
04 - Air Quality Policies
01 - Field Closure Policies
The City of Madison typically makes a call regarding the status of fields by 2:00pm each day. If the City of Madison closes a field, any activities or games are automatically canceled.
If the City does not close the fields but there is a chance of significant weather, MUFA may cancel games. That call will be made by 4pm each day.
If either the city or MUFA cancels games, it will be emailed to all players, if games are not explicitly canceled, they are on. That said, should weather develop, it is the responsibility of the captains to actively monitor field conditions. Games can continue in rain if the field is not incurring damage. If grass is getting torn up easily or if there is substantial standing water on the field, the game should stop immediately. Captains can be held responsible if the fields are damaged due to play in inclement weather.
If there is lightning, the game ends IMMEDIATELY. Players should clear the field and seek shelter. The game may not commence again until there has been no lightning for 30 minutes. If this goes into the next round, the game is over.
If the game did not reach halftime and was called early due to any severe weather or rain, the score should not be recorded.
02 - Severe Weather Policies
02.01 - Lightning:
No outdoor MUFA activities may proceed in the presence of lightning. Generally, if you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike a participant. If you hear thunder and/or see lightning, immediately stop your activity, and move to safe shelter. Safe shelter includes substantial buildings with electricity or plumbing or an enclosed metal-topped vehicle with the windows up. Remain in this shelter for at least 30 minutes after you hear the last sound of thunder or see lightning.
02.02 - Tornado Watch:
If a game is not already stopped for lightning or field conditions, play may continue during a tornado watch. Before a game begins or when a tornado watch is issued, captains should discuss team safety, check the radar, and make safety plans if a tornado watch should become a tornado warning during a game. Tornado watches indicate that tornadoes may be possible, and are typically issued over a large area, often covering numerous counties or even states.
02.03 - Tornado Warning:
No outdoor MUFA activities may proceed during a tornado warning. If you hear tornado sirens sound, receive an alert via your phone, are otherwise notified of a tornado warning, or see a funnel cloud and/or tornado you should seek shelter immediately. See https://www.weather.gov/safety/tornado-during for details on best practices for seeking shelter if outside during a tornado warning. You may not return to play until the warning has ended or been canceled by the National Weather Service.
02.04 - Standing Water/Flooding:
The game is canceled if there is standing water on the fields or if the grass pulls out easily (city rules)
If a team refuses to end a game due to rules 4.1 or 4.2 and claims a forfeit, the other team can appeal this claim to the league administrator.
Please note: Criteria for various advisories, watches and warnings vary across the country, especially for areas that are not used to dangerous heat conditions.
Definitions:
- “Heat Index” is a measure of how hot it feels when relative humidity is factored into actual air temperature.
- “Heat Advisory” is issued within 12 hours of the onset of extremely dangerous heat conditions. National Weather Service - Milwaukee Sullivan (MKX) field office will issue a heat advisory when daytime heat index values will be 100 to 104. Additionally, this will be issued when heat indices will be 95 to 99 for 4 consecutive days. Take precautions to avoid heat illness. If you don't take precautions, you may become seriously ill or even die.
- “Excessive Heat Warning” is issued within 12 hours of the onset of extremely dangerous heat conditions. National Weather Service MKX will issue an excessive heat warning when daytime heat index will be 105 or higher during the day and 75 or higher at night for at least a 48 hour period. If heat advisory conditions are expected for 4 consecutive days or more (heat indices 100 to 104) an excessive heat warning will be issued. If you don't take precautions immediately when conditions are extreme, you may become seriously ill or even die.
- “Excessive Heat Watch” is issued when conditions are favorable for an excessive heat event in the next 24 to 72 hours. A watch is used when the risk of a heat wave has increased but its occurrence and timing is still uncertain.
- “Excessive Heat Outlook” is issued when the potential exists for an excessive heat event in the next 3-7 days. An outlook provides information to those who need considerable lead-time to prepare for the event.
Warning or Advisory = Take Action; Watch = Be Prepared; Outlook = Be Aware
Background
During extremely hot and humid weather, your body's ability to cool itself is challenged. When the body heats too rapidly to cool itself properly, or when too much fluid or salt is lost through dehydration or sweating, body temperature rises and you or someone you care about may experience a heat-related illness. It is important to know the symptoms of excessive heat exposure and the appropriate responses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a list of warning signs and symptoms of heat illness, and recommended first aid steps.
03.01 - Heat Advisory
If there is a heat advisory issued by the National Weather Service for Dane County or portions thereof where a game is to be played, games are optional. Any team that does not have the numbers to play safely can forfeit without penalty as long as they notify the other team ahead of time (see MUFA Forfeit Policy).
If games are played, teams should allow extra time between points to ensure proper hydration and to prevent overheating of players. Captains may also discuss additional protocols, such as additional time outs or allowing additional subs to play, to mitigate the risk of heat-related illness for players/participants.
03.02 - Excessive Heat Warning
If there is an Excessive Heat Warning issued by the National Weather Service for Dane County or portions thereof where a game is to be played, games are canceled.
03.03 - Heat Index Values
If the Heat Index reaches 100F or higher, play must be suspended.
04 - Air Quality Policy
02.01 - AQI
MUFA utilizes the two DNR AQI sensors to determine the official number. A call will be made by 4pm about the status of games for that evening based on the higher of the two numbers.
- AQI 0 -100 - Games are on as scheduled
- AQI 101-150 - Games are on as scheduled; captains are encouraged to discuss making modifications to play for the safety of players. These modifications can include: one extra time-out per half, extra “respiration breaks” when the score reaches 4 and 10, and extra time between points. If a player is having issues breathing, they should utilize the injury call and come off the field.
- AQI >150 - Games are canceled.
02.02 - AQI During Games
If the AQI is close to, but below, 150, MUFA will likely allow games to go ahead if it looks like the AQI will remain under that threshold for the duration of the game. That said, if the AQI exceeds 150 during play, captains are required to stop play. Captains may also mutually agree to suspend or end play if the air quality is not suitable for play at any time regardless of the specific readin