District leads Central Valley with real-time heat monitoring to protect students
Modesto City Schools is leading student and staff safety with the installation of weather stations across its high schools. These advanced weather stations track Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), a measurement of how much heat stress the human body experiences in direct sunlight. WBGT considers multiple atmospheric factors, including temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle, and cloud cover, offering the most accurate data to help coaches and administrators make informed decisions about outdoor activities in various weather conditions, including the recent heat wave.
In partnership with Perry Weather, MCS has taken a significant step beyond traditional safety measures, which often rely on handheld and mobile WBGT devices. The newly installed permanent weather stations provide comprehensive coverage, extending up to a 4-mile radius from each campus, and offer automated updates every 15 minutes. This advanced system equips school officials with real-time data to make informed decisions about outdoor activities. It also enables them to react quickly to changing weather conditions, reducing the risk of heat-related illnesses like heat stroke and exhaustion and ensuring safer environments for all outdoor practices, games, and events.
This advanced technology is being used at the district’s seven comprehensive high schools and to support all 34 schools, including junior high and elementary schools. The equipment monitors weather conditions, including temperature, humidity, wind speed, air quality (AQI), precipitation, WBGT, and lightning strikes. This ensures that not just every school in the district has access to critical real-time weather data but the broader community, enhancing safety across all MCS schools.
“Modesto City Schools is one of a few districts in the region to adopt this level of monitoring and is proud to be at the forefront of student safety,” said Tom Nipper, Director of Health Services. “The district’s commitment to compliance with the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) regulations, which mandate WBGT measurements during practices and games, is demonstrated by the real-time data we make publicly available through the district’s website and the Perry Weather app.”
"This system sets us apart in the Central Valley, providing a comprehensive, districtwide solution for real-time weather monitoring,” said Dr. Sara Noguchi, Superintendent at Modesto City Schools. "It allows us to respond quickly to changing weather conditions and ensure the safety of our students and community, especially during extreme heat events."
Mark Herbst, Associate Superintendent of Student Support Services, added, “This technology gives us a tremendous advantage in safeguarding our students' health. With the ability to monitor real-time conditions at every school, we can make informed decisions about heat, air quality, and other weather-related hazards, keeping our students safe, particularly during wildfire season.”
The Perry Weather stations provide an additional layer of safety by issuing automated alerts for conditions such as lightning strikes, ensuring real-time responses, and reducing the need for manual monitoring. More than 1,000 organizations nationwide—including professional sports teams in the NFL, MLB, and PGA—use this technology, which supports MCS's ongoing efforts to enhance student safety.
“Teaming up with Perry Weather is a crucial safety step for our students and community,” said Nipper. “Heat illness is a critical concern in the Central Valley, and MCS is proud to support our community with this vital tool to keep everyone safe.”
For more information on the new weather stations and how MCS is leveraging this technology, visit https://www.mcs4kids.com/o/mcs/page/health-services and click the “Heat-Related Processes” tab. For a full breakdown of the CIF’s Extreme Heat and Air Quality guidelines, click here.