Inclement Weather Guidelines

St. Stepen's grass field is a HRM facility and therefore we follow HRM closures for inclement weather. If there is ever any doubt about the playing status, please check the HRM field conditions website. As soon as we are aware of a cancellation, we will send an email to impacted divisions. 

However, if games are being played and weather conditions change we will proceed with the following: 

If weather conditions or any other extenuating circumstances make the continuation of the game questionable, confer with the Coaches or Convenors.  If a game must be interrupted or suspended, the Umpire's decision is final.  (Rule 10.F)

If weather conditions or any other extenuating circumstances make play dangerous, the Umpires shall suspend the game after consultation with the Coaches or Convenors.  The Umpires' decision is final.

Guidance:  Umpires must be cautious when deciding to continue a game when weather conditions become a factor.  Safety must be the primary concern .  Secondary considerations include the team's travel time and expense.  I.F.W.L.A. Lightning Safety  Policy - When an Umpire, athletic trainer or other official staff personnel hears thunder or sees lightning, activate a safety plan.

Game personnel should identify a safe shelter before the start of an event/game.  At ANY sign of lightning, the field/site must be cleared.  Play should not resume until at least 30 minutes after the last thunder/lightning strike.

"30-30"

30 Seconds - STOP:  Stop the game when there is a 30 second or less "flash to bang" (thunder) time.  At 30 seconds "flash to bang," the lightning strike is 6 miles away.  The game should be stopped earlier if there are extraordinary circumstances regarding getting everyone to safe shelter.  Safe shelter is defined as a solid building with plumbing and electricity or, secondarily, motor vehicles with metal roofs and the windows rolled up.

30 minutes - RESUME:  Resume the game no sooner than 30 minutes after the last visible lightning flash or thunder.

Determining the Distance to a Lightning Strike

The distance to a lightning strike can be determined by using "flash to bang" (thunder) counting method.  Sound travels one mile every 5 seconds.  When lightning is sighted, count the seconds until you hear thunder.  If five seconds elapse, the lightning stike was one mile away.  Ten seconds indicate the lightning is two miles away...thirty seconds indicate the lightening is six miles away.  If a stopwatch is not available, an official's beeper can be used for 20 seconds of the count to increase accuracy.