Inclement Weather | YMCA DC

Inclement Weather

AIR QUALITY ALERT POLICES & PROCEDURES:

When Air Quality Alerts are issued, we follow specific procedures to prevent potential exposure to harmful conditions. These procedures may include cancelling or moving activities indoors, limiting strenuous outdoor exercise, and closely monitoring updates from local health agencies to ensure we are responding appropriately and promptly. Please click here to view our policies and procedures.

When there’s inclement weather (i.e. heat advisory, air quality alerts, snow storms, etc.) your YMCA will share updates on branch and program operations in the interest of member and staff safety on:
WINTER WEATHER:
During winter storms, we will also post our delays and closures alongside school alerts on

Select your branch below for winter weather policies.

WASHINGTON DC:

MARYLAND:

VIRGINIA:

SUMMER WEATHER:

Click below to view our branches’ summer heat advisory information & policies.

CAMP & CHILDCARE

Heat Advisory Precautions & Procedures For Camp and Child Care Programs
  • In the event of a heat index of 95+ degrees and Heat Advisory in effect: there will be no outside activities. Your YMCA can use the outside pool on-site as long as the water temperature is less than 88 degrees.
  • In the event of a heat index of 90-94 degrees and no heat advisory has been issued: there will be limited outside activities and mandatory water breaks every 30 minutes.
  • In the event of a heat index of 89 degrees or below: the Y will follow standard camp / child care operations protocol
  • Suggestions for the families of Y children participating in Camp and Child Care Programs:
    • Take the time to educate your child(ren) on the dangers of heat related illness.
    • Tell your child to inform Y staff if they are not feeling well, and if they have been recently ill and of any medications recently taken.
    • Wear lightweight, loose, cool, reflective clothing.
    • Wear hats or sun visors when participating in direct sun.
    • Wear sun glasses or protective eyewear.
    • Avoid caffeine and high-sugar, carbonated drinks.
    • Avoid eating heavy, protein-rich foods prior to exercise.
    • Bring water to drink throughout extended activities such as field day.
    • Wear appropriate sun screen

OUTDOOR POOL & POOL DECK

Extreme Heat Policy For Outdoor Pool & Pool Deck:
In the event that the water temperatures in our outdoor pools exceed 95 degrees, the pool and the pool deck will be closed for the safety of our members and guests.  The pool temperatures will be reevaluated every half hour and we will reopen once the temperatures return to a safer level.
Recommendations for Outdoor Pool Usage During the Summer:
A. Limit exposure by spending less than one hour in the pool or on the pool deck.
B. Avoid being outside during the hottest times of the day (between 11am and 4pm).
C. Wear lightweight, loose, cool, reflective clothing. Wear hats or sun visors when participating in direct sun.
D. Take advantage of the cooling station tents set up on the pool decks at Bethesda and Silver Spring.
E. Wear sun glasses or protective eyewear.
F. Drink lots of water or juice to rehydrate. Avoid caffeine and high-sugar, carbonated drinks.
G. If you are swimming laps or doing exercise in the outdoor pool limit the time to 20 min or less.
H. If you feel any of the symptoms of heat related illness (dizziness, headache, nausea, abdominal cramps, shallow breathing, cool and clammy skin, muscle tremors and heavy perspiration) report it to a lifeguard as soon as possible.

TENNIS/PICKLEBALL INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY:

Weather conditions (including extreme hot or cold temperatures, rain, snow, lightening or sustained high wind gusts) may cause tennis/pickleball events and activities to be canceled. In these circumstances, players will be notified as soon as possible in advance of class start time via email and a credit will be issued if applicable.