Weather & Air Quality Policy

Weather & Air Quality Policy

Safety first. Always.

The safety of our players, coaches, officials, and spectators is the primary concern in any weather event. While we aim to play whenever possible, NSA reserves the right to cancel or modify activities based on the following guidelines. Ultimately, parents always have the right to withdraw their child from participation if they feel conditions are unsafe.

1. Air Quality (Wildfire Smoke)

During wildfire season, NSA monitors the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) using the Government of Canada Castlegar/Nelson Station.

• AQHI 1-3 (Low Risk): Activities proceed as normal.
• AQHI 4-6 (Moderate Risk): Activities proceed, but coaches are advised to reduce intensity and provide frequent rest breaks. Players with respiratory issues should monitor symptoms closely.
• AQHI 7+ (High Risk): All NSA youth activities are cancelled or rescheduled.

Note: If the AQHI rises to 7 during a session, the session will be stopped immediately.

2. Lightning Safety (The 30/30 Rule)

NSA follows the Canada Soccer “30/30 Rule” for severe weather.

• When to Stop: If you hear thunder within 30 seconds of seeing lightning, the storm is close enough to be dangerous. All activities must stop immediately. Seek shelter in a fully enclosed building or metal-roofed vehicle.
• When to Resume: Activities may not resume until 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder is heard.
• Blue Sky Warning: Lightning can strike even if it is not raining and the sky appears blue. If you hear thunder, clear the field.

3. Extreme Heat

In the event of high temperatures, NSA follows the BC Soccer Extreme Heat Guidelines.

• Humidex 30-34°C: Water breaks are mandatory every 15-20 minutes. Intensity of drills should be reduced.
• Humidex 35-39°C: Activities may be modified or cancelled. If proceeding, duration is reduced, and shade breaks are frequent.
• Humidex 40°C+: All youth soccer activities are cancelled.

4. Field Closures (Rain & Snow)

Field status is determined by the City of Nelson and the Referee.

• City Closures: If the City of Nelson closes fields due to saturation or snow, NSA must comply. We will notify members via email and social media by 3:00 PM on weekdays.
• Game Time Decisions: Even if the field is technically “Open,” the Match Official (Referee) has the final authority to cancel a game if they deem the surface unsafe (e.g., standing water, ice, or frozen turf).

5. Communication

How will I know if soccer is cancelled?

We do not cancel for light rain. In the event of cancellations due to Air Quality, Heat, or City Closures, NSA will communicate via:

• Email: Sent to the roster email addresses.
• Website: An alert will be posted on the homepage.
• Social Media: Updates posted to our Facebook/Instagram stories.

If you do not hear from us, assume the game is ON.