Winnipeg Women’s Soccer League
Weather / Air Quality / Match Cancellation Protocol
The weather in Winnipeg and surrounding areas can be quite unpredictable at times. The WWSL has implemented a protocol when dealing with less-than-ideal weather for the outdoor season.
The WWSL will make every attempt to reschedule games that are cancelled due to inclement weather; however, the league cannot guarantee all games be rescheduled due to a number of factors including time of season, existing team schedules and field availability.
Winnipeg Soccer Federation (WSF) and Little Mountain Sport Complex (LMS) operate and manage the fields that we play on, so the WWSL relies on them to inform us whether their fields are playable or not.
If the WWSL is notified of fields deemed unplayable by the facilities, the affected team representatives will be contacted and informed.
League Wide Decisions
If the forecast predicts poor air quality, high humidity, thundershowers, hail, (or any other adverse weather), WWSL will put a notice early in the day on the website and social media (Instagram, Facebook) letting everyone know that we're monitoring the weather.
A final decision will be posted on WWSL social media by 4:00 PM regarding the night’s matches and a notification sent directly to all affected team representatives will be issued shortly after.
Unless you have received notice that a match has been cancelled, or it has been broadcasted by WWSL through its social media channels, all teams and match officials should otherwise arrive to the scheduled game ready to play.
If matches are to be played as scheduled, only the match official has the authority to abandon the match at the field should it be deemed unplayable or abandoned for adverse weather conditions as listed in the extreme weather guidelines below.
As it relates to thunder/lightning, humidity, and air quality, please follow the below guidelines:
THUNDER AND LIGHTNING
Thunder/Lightning - If you can hear thunder or see lightning, seek immediate safety indoors - “When thunder roars, go indoors.” After seeing lightning or hearing thunder, wait at least 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder or flash of lightning before returning to the field.
If the match is abandoned due to insufficient time to finish the match, the referee and teams should inform WWSL at admin@winnipegwomenssoccerleague.com
EXTREME HEAT AND HUMIDITY
Extreme Heat and Humidity will be determined by the referees at the time of kick off and intermittently monitored throughout the duration of the match.
AIR QUALITY
The AQHI value will be determined by the referee at the time of kick off and intermittently monitored throughout the duration of the match.
The Purple Air reading at the following link should be used to determine the AQHI value: Purple Air
(Please ensure that the Data Layer is set to Canadian PM2.5, and Averaging Period to Real Time. Use the location closest to the field for the reading.)
The WWSL adheres to the MSA’s policies and guidelines, please see links below for more information
MSA Extreme Weather Guidelines
MSA Air Quality Guidelines
If you have any questions regarding these guidelines, or if your match has been cancelled due to weather or field playability, please contact us at admin@winnipegwomenssoccerleague.com .
