Weather Guidelines
Decision to practice is ultimately the responsibility of the head coach unless otherwise notified by club admin to cancel practices.. When possible, the Club Administration will try to provide timely guidance and cancellations for games and communication will be made will be made through the Stack Team app by the coach. The goal of the weather guidelines is to maximize safety and also balance playing time with the comfort of players, coaches and parents.
Rain is not an automatic reason to cancel a practice. Practices or games will only be canceled by club administration if they feel the conditions of the fields could risk injury or be torn up by the soccer cleats. This decision will be made by 3 pm that day and the coaches will post on the Stack Team app and the club will post on the Dickinson Soccer Club Facebook page. If practices do not get canceled when raining, it will be up to the discretion of the coach to cancel practice.
If lightning is seen or it is within 10 miles or less, the event should be postponed until at least 30 minutes after the final thunder is heard. The field should be cleared and everyone take shelter in buildings or vehicles. It is recommended for coaches to download the WeatherBug app or any other app that includes a lightning feature.
If the National Weather Service of Bismarck has issued a Thunderstorm Watch please be sure you stay close to the fields during practice or games in case there is a sudden change in the weather and we need to cancel practices. All activity will be immediately stopped if lighting is in the area and players/spectators must vacate the fields.
If there is a tornado warning or tornado siren, all activity must be suspended and you must leave the soccer complex to seek shelter. The West River Community Center would be the closest shelter in the event of a tornado warning.
We will not cancel for snow unless it is sticking to the grass and preventing play.
Events are also not canceled for cold weather unless the temperature is lower than 40F or 35F wind chill. During cold weather, players are encouraged to dress in layers and wear hat and gloves. During games, the jersey needs to be the outermost layer.
Events should be canceled when the heat index (combination of air temperature and relative humidity) exceeds 95F or air temperature is 90F as this increases the likelihood of heat illness during physical activity.
For games, if the weather is questionable and you don't see a communication through come through the Stack Team app, assume that all games will take place as scheduled. There will be no makeup practices or games, unless it is a tournament game.