Effective July 2024; current CIF policy · last source review

California WBGT rules for high school sports.

California mandates three regional WBGT categories. Confirm your school's CIF category; PracticeCast defaults to the most conservative Category 1.

What coaches need to know

Category 1 modification bands begin at 76.3, 81.1, 84.2, and 86.2°F WBGT.
Category 2 bands begin at 79.9, 84.7, 87.8, and 89.8°F WBGT.
Category 3 bands begin at 82.2, 87.1, 90.1, and 92.1°F WBGT.
Higher bands add rest, cap outdoor practice at 2 hours then 1 hour, remove equipment, prohibit conditioning, and stop outdoor activity.
California contains all three climate categories; confirm the school's category on the official CIF map.

Extreme Heat Policy — Region Category 1

California contains all three CIF climate categories. This policy models Region Category 1; schools must confirm their category from the CIF map and use WBGT for the official decision.

Condition	What the coach does
WBGT under 76.3°	Normal activity Provide at least three separate 3-minute rest breaks each hour.
WBGT 76.3°–81.1°	Use discretion and add rest Use discretion for intense or prolonged exercise. Provide at least three separate 4-minute rest breaks each hour.
WBGT 81.1°–84.2°	Limit outdoor practice to 2 hours Limit outdoor practice to 2 hours. Provide at least four separate 4-minute rest breaks each hour. Football and field hockey: helmets, shoulder pads, and shorts only during practice.
WBGT 84.2°–86.2°	Limit outdoor practice to 1 hour Contests are permitted with additional hydration breaks. Limit outdoor practice to 1 hour. Do not wear protective equipment or conduct conditioning during practice. Distribute 20 minutes of rest through the hour.
WBGT 86.2° and above	No outdoor practice or contest Delay outdoor practices and competitions until a cooler WBGT is reached.

Source reviewed 2026-07-30. An on-site WBGT reading is required for the official call.

Extreme Heat Policy — Region Category 2

California contains all three CIF climate categories. This policy models Region Category 2; schools must confirm their category from the CIF map and use WBGT for the official decision.

Condition	What the coach does
WBGT under 79.9°	Normal activity Provide at least three separate 3-minute rest breaks each hour.
WBGT 79.9°–84.7°	Use discretion and add rest Use discretion for intense or prolonged exercise. Provide at least three separate 4-minute rest breaks each hour.
WBGT 84.7°–87.8°	Limit outdoor practice to 2 hours Limit outdoor practice to 2 hours. Provide at least four separate 4-minute rest breaks each hour. Football and field hockey: helmets, shoulder pads, and shorts only during practice.
WBGT 87.8°–89.8°	Limit outdoor practice to 1 hour Contests are permitted with additional hydration breaks. Limit outdoor practice to 1 hour. Do not wear protective equipment or conduct conditioning during practice. Distribute 20 minutes of rest through the hour.
WBGT 89.8° and above	No outdoor practice or contest Delay outdoor practices and competitions until a cooler WBGT is reached.

Source reviewed 2026-07-30. An on-site WBGT reading is required for the official call.

Extreme Heat Policy — Region Category 3

California contains all three CIF climate categories. This policy models Region Category 3; schools must confirm their category from the CIF map and use WBGT for the official decision.

Condition	What the coach does
WBGT under 82.2°	Normal activity Provide at least three separate 3-minute rest breaks each hour.
WBGT 82.2°–87.1°	Use discretion and add rest Use discretion for intense or prolonged exercise. Provide at least three separate 4-minute rest breaks each hour.
WBGT 87.1°–90.1°	Limit outdoor practice to 2 hours Limit outdoor practice to 2 hours. Provide at least four separate 4-minute rest breaks each hour. Football and field hockey: helmets, shoulder pads, and shorts only during practice.
WBGT 90.1°–92.1°	Limit outdoor practice to 1 hour Contests are permitted with additional hydration breaks. Limit outdoor practice to 1 hour. Do not wear protective equipment or conduct conditioning during practice. Distribute 20 minutes of rest through the hour.
WBGT 92.1° and above	No outdoor practice or contest Delay outdoor practices and competitions until a cooler WBGT is reached.

Source reviewed 2026-07-30. An on-site WBGT reading is required for the official call.

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Use the current governing document. Local schools, districts, leagues, activities, and medical staff may apply additional or stricter requirements.

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