Board approved; current published model · last source review

North Dakota heat rules for high school sports.

North Dakota publishes a board-approved four-band heat-index model. Confirm the procedure adopted by your school before treating it as operational.

What coaches need to know

Below 95°F heat index: unrestricted water, optional 10-minute breaks every 30 minutes, cooling towels, and monitoring.
95–99°F: reduce outdoor time, consider postponing, remove idle contact equipment, and recheck every 30 minutes.
100–104°F: mandatory breaks, altered uniforms, reduced or postponed activity, and suspension when required safety equipment cannot be removed.
105°F and above: stop outdoor activity and indoor activity without air conditioning.
The NDHSAA document is a recommended model; confirm local adoption.

Recommended Heat and Humidity Management Procedure

The NDHSAA Board approved this recommended model on August 7, 2013. It calls for activity-site temperature and humidity readings 30 minutes before and 60 minutes after activity begins, with 30-minute rechecks in elevated bands.

Condition	What the coach does
Heat index under 95°	Heat index below 95°F Keep unrestricted water available. Offer optional 10-minute water breaks every 30 minutes. Provide ice-down towels and monitor athletes.
Heat index 95°–100°	Reduce outdoor time Keep unrestricted water available and offer optional 10-minute breaks every 30 minutes. Provide ice-down towels and monitor athletes. Contact sports: remove helmets and other equipment when athletes are not involved in contact. Reduce outdoor time, consider postponing, and recheck every 30 minutes.
Heat index 100°–105°	Sharply modify or postpone activity Keep unrestricted water available. Take mandatory 10-minute water breaks every 30 minutes. Alter uniforms and allow changes into dry shirts and shorts. Reduce outdoor and non-air-conditioned indoor activity; postpone practice. Remove contact equipment when possible; suspend activity if equipment is necessary for safety.
Heat index 105° and above	Stop activity Stop all outdoor practice and play. Stop indoor activity when air conditioning is unavailable.

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

Check my location’s forecast Read the official source

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

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