MaineECO_WinterWeatherConsiderations.xlsx

	A	B	C
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2	Winter Weather	Considerations	Recommendations
3	Temperature	Below 50 is considered cool, Below 30 is considered chilly, below 20 is considered cold and below 10 is considered very cold and below zero is considered potentially dangerous but also possible to be out in. -15 is the temperature that indicates staying indoors. There are many other factors that impact the feels like temperature.	The number alone should not be a determining factor for time spent outside but must be accompanied with other factors to make determination. Wind, percipitation, sky cover and environment should be directly observed in the play area to determine time spent outdoors.
4	Percipitation	Rain, snow, sleet, freezing rain and hail are possible percips. It is safe and recommended to play in all of these conditions. Time spent in these conditions will depend on gear and intensity of percipitation as well as wind and availability of shelter.	Gear must be assessed carefully on days that have active percipitation. Children should be wearing waterproof layers on the outside and special attention should be given to areas where wetness can get in (around neck, wrists, ankles/tops of boots). Wind can effect the intensity of percipitation as well. Wind and snow can cause snow to hit the face, be very uncomfortable and cause irritation. Light percipitation or with no wind can be enjoyed easily for long periods of time when dressed appropriately. If you have a space outdoors to get under a covering, that will increase your time outdoors as children can take a break from the percipitation.
5	Wind Speed	Wind is an important factor to consider and has a big impact on the feels like temperature. Make sure you assess the wind in your play area, some are more sheltered from wind than others. Use the wind speed chart with environmental indicators to determine wind speed in your play area if you don't have a wind speed measurement tool.	Always determine the windchill temperature in your area and use that number to indicate time outdoors. When your feels like temperature is between 0- 15 you should be cautious and pay close attention to gear, skin exposure and movement. NWS has chart with frost bite times, this too can help determine time outdoors. Use vaseline on faces to help protect skin from the wind and increase allowable time outdoors.
6	Sky Cover	Sun or clouds do not effect the technical feels like temperature but can offer an opportunity to warm up or be a cause of feeling colder. Being in direct sun can offer an increase temperature and a warmer play area wheras being in the shade or on cloudy days the temperature can feel colder.	On very cold days move play areas or activity spaces into direct sunlight. Encourage children to play in sunny areas to stay warm.
7	Humidity	Humidity does not effect the technical feels like temperature in the winter significantly but does impact how we feel. On cold days, high humidity makes us feel colder because the moisture can not leave our bodies easily and gets trapped in our gear, making our bodies feel colder (raw days). When humidity is low on cold days, we will feel warmer as the moisture easily evaporates from our body and gear.	Humidity levels do not need to determine time spent outdoors from a safety standpoint in the winter however they will effect how children and teachers are feeling and may be cause for more or less time outdoors.
8	Environment
9	Ground & Moisture	If it has rained in the past 2-3 days or has been overcast with high humidity the ground and environment can be very wet, even if it is not currently raining or snowing. Even if the surface is dry the underlayers can be wet and easily come up through when sat on. For most of late fall through spring the areas that children are playing in and on are wet and effects how the outdoors feels.	Wear rain gear or waterproof outer layers when ground or environment is wet or damp. Children can be given boards or mats to sit or kneel on while playing to keep them off the wet ground and their gear drier. Holding activities at picnic tables or in standing circles can help to keep chiildren off the wet ground and warmer.
10	Access to Water	Access to natural water and/or water play needs to be considered when determining outdoor time and activities as well. Below 50 degrees, children with access to water play need to be monitored for wet and cold gear and clothing.	Always use outer waterproof layers, rain gear and over mittens when using water in colder temperatures. Children shouldn't submerge any part of their body in water in colder temperatures. If a child gets wet through to the skin, they need to be brought in and changed right away.
11	Trees	Tree cover and branches should be considered in conjucntion with wind speed. Tree limbs can pose a risk on windy days.	Have trees assessed by an arborist annually. They can trim trees that are at risk of falling and offer recommendations on how sturdy your trees are. Teachers can check trees daily for branches looking weak or ready to fall.
12	Gear
13	Base Layers	wool, silk or synthetic	for days below 30 degrees and no harm in wearing them on warmer days as long as they are made of moisture wicking material. Wool and silk are ideal to be worn on both warm and cold days. If a child doesn't have a base layer on for very cold days use other layers for warmth but check child's skin frequently for moisture as cotton layers on the skin will not wick away sweat and moisture.
14	Insulated Layers	snow jackets and snow pants, some down insulation ideal	for days below 30/40 depending on child preference, can be layered under rain gear on wet days, waterproof with reinforced knees/butts are good. If a child does not have insulated gear on very cold days they should not go out or be limited in their time outdoors.
15	Waterproof/Windproof Layers	Rain gear over snow gear or snow gear that has waterproof and windproof outer layer	Check for actual waterproof materials. If children do not have proper rain gear they should not be out in wet conditions in the cold.
16	Mittens	waterproof and insulated and stay on well. Mittens are prefered to gloves for warmth.	All children need to have proper mittens that match the conditions. Over mittens can be used in leui of waterproof mittens, paired with fleece or knitted mittens. Be sure to have mittens that cover the wrists as well. Mittens can be removed periodically if a child needs to use their hands or is too hot and needs to release heat. On days where frost bite is a concern, under 15 degrees, mittens should be kept on at all times.
17	Waterproof & Insulated Boots	Waterproof winter boots with removable liners offer warmth can can be dried easily by removing liners. Insulated water boots such as bogs offer some wamth but not as much insulation. Wool socks should be worn with plenty of room for foot to move about in boot.	Dry socks and boots need to be put on at the start of outdoor play. If a child is wearing heavy wool socks in slippers for the morning and then puts those same socks into boots, the socks are wet and cause coldness to set in quicker. Boots should be dried each night. Boots should not be clunky but big enough so toes can wiggle with thick socks on. Boot liners should be removed each night to be dried out. WAterproof and insulated boots are essential, children should not be out in cold or wet temperatures.
18	Neckies & Skin Protection	Fleece neckies, scarves or balaclavas cover neck and protect exposed skin between jacket and hat.	Scarves should be tied tightly and tucked into the jacket. Neck and chin/mouth coverings are required for days under 15 where frostbite is possible. Vaseline can also be used on exposed skin (around mouth, nose and cheeks especially) to protect from windburn and rashes. Keeping the face dry is also important. Wipe and dry noses frequently, discourage eating snow or sucking icicles as they cause moisture around lips and chin and then chapped skin.
19	Children & Teachers
20	Diet for outdoors	A child's 'diet' for the outdoors is their tolerance for outdoor weather, particularly the cold and wet weather conditions. Children will become accustomed to being outdoors in the elements and learn to trust gear, their teachers and their bodies but it can take some time. Centers and schools that build a culture around going out in all elements will help build a child's diet compared to sites that go out occasionally or intermittently depending on weather and other factors.	If a child or group of children is new to extreme elements, start small and allow for breaks. Build habits by going out everyday but perhaps for short periods of time if weather conditions are uncomfortable. Listen to children and respond appropriately to their requests for going in or warming up.
21	Movement	Movement keeps us warm, surprisingly so even on days that are extremely cold. If children are moving, active and engaged their bodies will be warmer.	Non-mobile children or children who move less and slower in all their gear should not be out in very cold temps for long. Observe for children who are sedentary in their play or not moving. Get children moving by inviting them into movement activities, play yard work or chores, hiking, etc. If a child is cold, offering meaningful and interactive movement is a wonderful strategy. Simply telling a child to go run or go move to get warm may not be enough to warm them up.
22	Staff Training	Outdoor nature based specific training is critical to being outdoors with children all year. Specifically training around weather, gear, and outdoor curriculum will be helpful.	When staff are well trained in outdoor curriculum, weather guidelines and risk/benefit analysis, classes can be more autonomous in their decision making about when and for how long children are staying outdoors.
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