Weather

Check here for the Toronto weather report:
Environment Canada.

JFK's preferred hourly report . . .
Accuweather  -  Updated frequently.  Use MSN Weather below for more details.
Hour by hour forecast. Scarborough.
Hour by hour forecast. Toronto.

MSN Weather  -  If "Precip Chance" is 40% or less, it usually doesn't rain.
Hour by hour forecast. Scarborough.
Hour by hour forecast. Toronto.

10 Day Forecast
Weather.com

2012 GENERAL WEATHER MESSAGE: Soccer is on UNLESS there is lightning or heavy rain at your scheduled time (or if there is an event preventing the playing of soccer). The referees will make the ultimate decision at & during game times. Please do not phone or email JFK asking if soccer is on, we will not be able to answer this type of inquiry on time, so you will not receive a reply. If you are unsure, check the JFK web site at 5:00pm for the latest web update. After 5:00pm, please check with Twitter for up to the minute cancellations & notices. You can also ask your coach. Dress for the weather. Please bring water to drink as needed. If you have a health issue with being outside in any type of inclement weather, please do not go to soccer. The choice is ultimately yours. It might be hot, it might be humid, it might rain, it might be cold, it might be windy. Referees cannot award a team a win, they only have the power to report the game results. Only JFK Executive decides if any team wins by default (or for any other reason). Only the following JFK Executives can cancel or abandon an XP All-Star game: Nick V, Paul S, Warren C & BK. M.

Lightning Policy
The best way to stay safe in a thunderstorm is to endure it indoors.  In light of that, you should avoid being caught out in one.  Do that by:
Monitoring weather conditions.
Avoiding situations in which finding proper shelter would be difficult.
If you're already out and about when a storm breaks, use the 30-30 rule: take appropriate shelter when you can count 30 seconds or fewer between lightning and thunder, and remain sheltered for 30 minutes after the last thunder.
Shelter should be a well-constructed building.  Failing that, it should be a car or RV.
If you must weather a storm outside follow these tips, provided by Environment Canada:
Avoid being the tallest object around
Avoid being NEAR the tallest object around (e.g. a lone tree)
Avoid being near objects that conduct an electrical charge (metal fence, power lines, golf clubs, fishing rod, etc.)
Go deep into a stand of trees and find the lowest-lying area.
Crouch down and protect your head.
If there are no trees or only solitary trees nearby, still look for the lowest lying area, crouch down and protect your head. Do not lie flat, as this increases your chances of being struck by lightning.

Too Hot or Raining Weather Notice
Games and practices are not usually canceled due to weather conditions unless there is lightning, hail or other extreme conditions.  The first 2 are obvious.  Each members must exercise their own judgment whether or not to play in the heat and humidity.  Know your limits and those of the spectators you bring.  Generally games will not be canceled due to heat because that's what the summer brings and we play soccer in the summer.  Be your own judge to decide if you should attend.  Bring lots of cold water.  Games that are canceled will be posted around 5:00pm on line whenever possible.  Do not call or email the office asking if games are canceled.  These inquiries cannot be replied to.


Outdoor Members Weather Notice:
Practices and games will not be canceled unless there is a heavy rain, lightning within 10 kilometers, hail, or other major storm or other significant circumstance deeming cancellation of the games and/or practices.  In such an event, JFK will post online any closure if time permits.  Always check with your coach first.


Indoor Members Weather Notice:
Practices and games will not be canceled unless there is a major storm or other significant circumstance deeming closure of the gyms.  In such an event, JFK will post online any closure if time permits.  A reminder that there are no wet shoes or boots allowed in the gym.


WEATHER NOTICE 
Soccer is on UNLESS there is lightning or heavy rain at your scheduled time.  Please do not phone or email JFK asking if soccer is on, we will not be able to answer this type of inquiry on time, so you will not be replied to.  Thank you.

HEAT & HUMIDITY NOTICE 
All games are on as scheduled.  If you have a health issue with being outside with this type of weather, do not come.  The choice is yours.

Avoiding and Preventing Heat Related Injuries When Playing Soccer Proper Hydration to AVOID AND PREVENT HEAT RELATED INJURIES WHEN PLAYING SOCCER There are some simple guidelines which have been prepared by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) when it comes to running activities in a hot and/or humid environment. The goal in participating in hot weather is to avoid fluid loss from the body or dehydration. Water not only accounts for some 98% of our body composition, but functions to help deliver oxygen to working muscles, and keeps the body from overheating during strenuous activity. Hard working muscles generate heat which is dissipated through the act of sweating. Evaporation of sweat on the skin allows the body to get rid of this heat and cool it off. In looking at the objectives for advising officials and participates about this subject it seems that the following categories are areas requiring attention: 1.     To educate athletes and event officials about the most common forms of environmental illness including predisposing conditions, warning signs, susceptibility and incidence reduction 2.     To advise officials of their legal responsibilities and potential liability with regard to event safety and injury prevention 3.     To recommend that officials consult local weather archives and plan games at times likely to be of low environmental stress to minimize detrimental effects on athletes 4.     To encourage officials to warn athletes about environmental stress on game \ practice day and the implications for heat and cold illness 5.     To inform officials of preventive actions that may reduce debilitation and environmental illness 6.     To describe the personnel, equipment, and supplies necessary to reduce and treat cases of collapse and environmental illness. To this end, after review of the available literature and after consultation of various medical authorities and officials it was felt that the following recommendations are some key guidelines for soccer participation in the heat: 1.     Avoid dehydration and make sure you pre-hydrate: Don’t wait till you feel thirsty because the body will not be able to tell you in time that you are dehydrated, here are some practical recommendations (adjust according for age, size, health): o    2 hours before exercise, drink at least 16 oz or 500 ml (an average bottle of water) o    1 hour before exercise, drink at least 08 oz or 250 ml (half an average bottle of water o    During the exercise, drink at least 4 to 8 oz every 15 – 20 minutes o    Immediately after the exercise, drink at least 16 oz or 500 ml of water or an electrolyte replacing drink o    1 hour after a training session or game consider drinking 16 oz or 500 ml of skim milk or chocolate milk for protein and muscle repair 2.     As a rule of thumb you should drink at least 500 ml for every 20 lbs of body weight, therefore, someone weighing 140 lbs needs to drink at least 3500 ml of fluid per day if training or playing that day. 3.     Drinking carbohydrate and electrolyte fluids may be beneficial in avoiding heat trauma. 4.     Wearing light breathable clothing is advised. 5.     Officials should be very cautious in authorizing games and practices in environments where the temperature plus humidity combined are 35 C and over. They should enquire of the participants to ensure pre-event hydration, medication use and susceptibility to heat injury (prior occurrence). Also unlimited substitution is recommended during games as is frequent fluid brakes and fluid availability on both sides of the field. The other issue to consider is, and you may be asking yourself at this point, what are the risk factors which could predispose a soccer player to heat injury. Listed below are the major risk factors but this is by no means an exhaustive list: 1.     Not being acclimatized 2.     Unfit 3.     Hypo hydration 4.     Hyper hydration 5.     Use of a variety of medications or supplements 6.     Persons with persistent, disabling mental illness 7.     Certain medical conditions (cardiac, lung) How can you tell if one of your soccer players is experiencing heat injury? Below is a list of the early warning signs to look for and again this is not an exhaustive list: 1.     Flushed face 2.     Hyperventilation or shortness of breath 3.     Headache 4.     Dizziness 5.     Tingling arms 6.     Goose bumps (hair on arms standing on end) 7.     Chilliness 8.     Poor coordination 9.     Confusion, agitation, uncooperativeness A preseason or pre – event conditioning program, when combined with an 8 – 14 day period of acclimatization, may further reduce the risk of heat injury. There are 3 main types of heat injury identified in the medical literature: 1.     Heat Cramps – these are the mildest form of heat trauma and are commonly related to low body sodium and chloride levels. Signs & Symptoms include – weakness, muscle cramps, collapse with low blood pressure. Treatment – is aimed at replacing the salt loss and can be oral or by intravenous if vomiting is a problem. Having athletes put a little extra salt on their food the day before and day of game can be a helpful way to avoid this condition. 2.     Heat Exhaustion – this is a more severe medical event as follows. Signs & Symptoms include – weakness, irritability, collapse, unable to sweat adequately to promote body cooling, may proceed in the more ominous heat stroke and a fine rash is often present. Treatment – remove athlete to a cooler environment, use ice baths, fans. 3.     Heat Stroke – THIS IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY – it is due to a failure of the heat-controlling mechanism. It may occur merely as a result of exposure to heat. Signs & Symptoms include – mental confusion, headache, poor coordination, delirium, convulsions and death. The body temperature may be 106 F or 40.5 C or higher, the skin is usually hot and dry as the sweating mechanism has failed. Treatment - Call 911 and transport to a local Hospital. Rapid cooling is the goal using wet towels, spray mist, sponge baths and removal from the heat. This condition could cause the athlete to go into shock and coma may follow so immediate medical attention is required. References: American College of Sports Medicine POSITION STAND. Exercise and Fluid Replacement, Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2007 Acknowledgements: Dr. Rudy Gittens Past Medical Director, Canadian Soccer Association Submitted by: Dr. Robert Gringmuth Chair, OSA Medical Advisory Committee As recommended by the Ontario Soccer Association.