Runner safety is the primary focus of weather-related decisions. If any of the threatening weather conditions listed below are present on the day of an LRC event, event coordinators may cancel or delay the event. Should the event be canceled, finisher medals will be made available for pickup at a later time; no virtual participation or result submission will be offered. Common sense should prevail. Less threatening conditions may cause the course or activity to be altered to ensure participants, volunteers, and community safety. 

 

Mandatory Cancellations

·         The City of Lakeland has issued a safer-at-home order due to adverse weather conditions.

·         Partner/host business is closed.

·         Lightning strikes are detected within 6 miles 30 minutes prior to or during the event.

·         Audible thunder during the event (even in the absence of visible lightning).

·         The heat index is 110°F or higher.

·         Wind gusts exceed 45 mph, or sustained winds exceed 30 mph.

·         The air quality index is 151 or higher.

·         Rainfall totals exceed of ½ inch per hour (heavy), or continuous rain at any level combined with temperatures below 50°F (risk of hypothermia).

·         A hurricane warning has been issued, and a hurricane is expected within 12 hours.

·         A flood warning has been issued.

·         A tornado warning has been issued.

·         A winter storm (freezing rain, sleet, snow and/or ice) warning has been issued.

·         For Kids Running - temperatures forecast to be below 55°F

 

 

Given the nature of central Florida weather, not all conditions are foreseeable, and event coordinators may cancel or suspend an event on-site.

There are no suitable indoor spaces available at most LRC events to shelter in place. Participants should plan to take shelter in their vehicle.

 

Notification

Participants should be notified when conditions exist that may be harmful to their health, not just when an event needs to be canceled, e.g. heat or air quality advisory, or when there is a weather watch issued for our area. 

If the potential for adverse weather is predicted, participants should be notified that a threat is forecasted for the time of the event, that protective action may be required, any action they need to take now, and what specific protective action they need to take if dangerous conditions occur after the event has started.

 The notification method is dependent on timing and accessibility. Methods for informing participants include:

·         an update on the event website

·         email

·         text

·         social media

·         verbally on-site

 

Tools to monitor weather conditions in advance of an event:
A 7-day summary forecast from the National Weather Service is available on the Forecast Points web page.  Any potential hazardous weather within this time frame is highlighted in the Hazardous Weather Outlook, which is a short, plain-language text product. There is also a color-coded tabular version, called the Graphical Hazardous Weather Outlook.

https://www.weather.gov/forecastpoints/ 

Weather Communications

Storms/Lightning
According to the National Weather Service, thunderstorms are likely for our area. If lightning is detected within 6 miles of “venue” within 30 minutes of the event starting, the event will be canceled/delayed. No place outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area! If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you. When you hear thunder, immediately move to a safe shelter: a substantial building with electricity or plumbing or an enclosed, metal-topped vehicle with windows up. Stay in a safe shelter for at least 30 minutes after you hear the last sound of thunder.

Heat
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for our area. If the heat index exceeds 110°F, the event will be canceled. Take precautions to avoid heat illness. If you don't take precautions, you may become seriously ill or even die. Start your run hydrated, dress appropriately, wear sunscreen, slow down, and know the signs of heat illness. If you become dizzy, nauseated, have the chills, or cease to sweat - stop running! Find a shaded area, drink water, and if you do not feel better, get home or call for help. Symptoms of heatstroke include mental changes, such as confusion, delirium, or unconsciousness, and skin that is red, hot, and dry, even under the armpits. Heatstroke is a life-threatening medical emergency, requiring emergency medical treatment. Call 911. 

Wind
The National Weather Service has issued a high wind threat for our area. If wind gusts exceed 45 mph or there are sustained winds exceeding 30 mph, the event will be canceled. Stay clear of roadways or train tracks as a gust may blow you into the path of oncoming traffic. Watch for flying debris. Tree limbs may break, and street signs may become loose during strong wind gusts.

 Air Quality
The National Weather Service has issued an air quality alert. If the air quality index exceeds 151, the event will be canceled. Poor air quality can aggravate a host of health problems such as Asthma, heart conditions and other respiratory conditions, especially in children and seniors. Stay inside if possible, and if you must go out, try to limit the amount of time you are out to strictly essential activities.

Rain
The National Weather Service has forecast heavy rain for our area. If the expected rain totals exceed ½ inch, the event will be canceled. During heavy rain visibility is limited. Stay clear of roadways as conditions could cause vehicles to leave the roadway. Heavy rain can also cause flash flooding.

Rain + Cold
The National Weather Service has forecast rain for our area, if temperatures drop below 50°F, the event will be canceled due to the risk of hypothermia. Hypothermia can occur in temperatures as warm as 60°F. If your body temperature is 95°F or less, you feel cold and sluggish, or you are having trouble thinking clearly, see a doctor immediately or go to the nearest emergency room. 

Cold
The National Weather Service has forecast cool weather for our area, if temperatures drop below 55°F, the event will be canceled. 

Hurricane
The NOAA National Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane warning for our area. The event is canceled.

Flooding
The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory for our area. If a flood warning is issued, the event will be canceled. 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars and just 2 feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks. It is never safe to drive or walk into flood waters.  

Tornado
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for our area. If the alert level changes to a tornado warning or emergency, the event is canceled. In the event of a warning or emergency, there is an imminent danger to life and property, immediately seek shelter in the safest location possible. 

Winter Storm
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for our area. Make sure you are dressing for the temperature to avoid frost bite or hypothermia. If the alert level changes to a winter storm warning or emergency, the event is canceled to eliminate the risk of injuries due to slip and falls.

!! This feature should only be used for critical event updates. 

Instructions to send a text update:
1.    Log into your personal Run SignUp account
2.    From the profile, select My Races from the list
3.    Select the Race that you would like to send an event notification
4.    Type “text” into the Menu Search feature
5.    Select Emergency Text Messaging from the menu
6.    Select the applicable Event(s) participants to receive your text
7.    Enter the message in the text message field
8.    Select Send Text Message button

Instructions for how to have people add themselves to the list if they didn’t do it during registration

1.    Log into their personal Run SignUp account
2.    From their profile, select Profile
3.    Scroll down to Upcoming Events
4.    Select the event they want to add their number to
5.    Select Manage Registration
6.    Select Questions from the menu
7.    Add your number to the question for Updates/Text