General | 7/21/2026 7:21:00 PM

CLINTON -- As the 2026-27 athletic year approaches, Clinton Athletics continues to monitor Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) conditions to make informed decisions regarding practices and competitions, with student-athlete safety remaining the department's top priority.

The Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) has required all member schools to follow WBGT guidelines since July 2023. Clinton Athletics monitors daily weather forecasts and WBGT readings to determine whether practice schedules, workout durations, and activity levels need to be adjusted.

Unlike a standard thermometer reading, WBGT measures environmental heat stress by combining several factors, including air temperature, humidity, direct sunlight, wind speed, and radiant heat. The metric has been recognized by the sports medicine community since the 1950s and is also utilized by the United States military because it provides a more accurate assessment of heat-related risk during physical activity.

As WGBT readings increase, practice plans are modified accordingly. Depending on the severity of the reading, adjustments may include shorter practice durations, additional rest periods, increased hydration breaks, equipment modifications, or the posteponement of outdoor activities in accordance with MHSAA guidelines.

Clinton Athletics encourages familiarity with WBGT standards and heat safety protocols. Additional information is available through the MHSAA's resources on Wet Bulb Globe Temperature and heat-related illness prevention.