THUNDER/LIGHTNING POLICY

SECTION XI CONTEST INTERRUPTION – THUNDER/LIGHTNING POLICY
New for 2026-27

Applied to regular season through NYSPHSAA Finals:

1. Thunder and lightning necessitate that contest be suspended. The occurrence of thunder and/or lightning is not subject to interpretation or discussion- thunder is thunder, lightning is lightning. a. With your site administrator, set up a plan for shelter prior to the start of any contest.

2. When thunder is heard and/or lightning is seen or when using the My Lightning Tracker App, if lightning is detected within 15 miles of the event location (Jan. 2024), the following procedures should be adhered to:

a. Suspend play and direct participants to go to shelter, a building normally occupied by the public or if a building is unavailable, participants should go inside a vehicle with a solid metal top (e.g. bus, van, and car).

b. Do not permit people to stand under or near a tree; and have all stay away from poles, antennas, towers and underground watering systems.

c. After the last boom is heard, strike is seen or lightning has not been detected within 15 miles of the event by using the My Lightning Tracker App (Jan. 2024), wait 30 minutes before resuming play or competition. updated 8.4.26

ARTICLE VII – ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS Put in NYSPHSAA Policy
A. During Regular Season, Section Championships and NYSPHSAA Qualifiers, the
Section will follow the NYSPHSAA Thunder and Lightning Policy under the direction
of the Executive Director, Sports Chair or Designee. Using Common sense and in
consultation with the Athletic Administrator or his/her designee using the
approved weather app, 60 minutes after the first bolt of lightning once the game
has started and play has been suspended can the game be deemed suspended.