Guidelines During Freezing Weather

All supervisors of children on playgrounds should be instructed to use good judgment regarding the needs of students during cold weather situations. Supervisors on playgrounds should understand what the procedures are to be regarding cold weather, individual student needs under these circumstances, and what the procedure will be should they determine that a shortened period of time on the playground is needed for all students. 

Please click this link for the air temperature and wind chill chart.

Temperature at or below 20°F

Anytime temperature and/or wind chill are considered to be a comfort factor or hazard to students, special arrangements should be considered. As a guideline, it is suggested that anytime the actual temperature is at 20 degrees or below, special consideration should be given to duration of time outside before school, during recess, and at noon time. This would not preclude special consideration for students with health problems and/or inadequate clothing for temperatures below 20 degrees.

Wind chill factor at or below 0°F

Should the wind chill factor be 0 degrees or below, consideration should be given to allowing students to stay inside the building.

Temperature at or below 0°F

Temperatures 0 degrees and below generally would dictate that all students should remain inside the building. Any consideration for allowing students to be outside should include duration of exposure to the outside and how well students are dressed for cold weather. Special consideration must be given to students with health problems such as asthma or other health problems which could be affected by cold weather.

Cold Weather Precautions