School Weather
Field Trip Weather Safety: Lightning, Heat, Buses, Shelters, and Cancellation Decisions
How schools and groups can plan field trips around lightning, heat, severe storms, flooding, bus routes, and shelter options.
Quick answer: A field trip weather plan should identify shelter options, cancellation triggers, bus communication, heat support, and who monitors alerts.
Before leaving
Check forecasts for both school and destination. Identify shelters at the destination and along the route.
Outdoor trips need stronger weather thresholds than indoor trips.
During the trip
Assign someone to monitor alerts. Keep phones charged and maintain contact with transportation.
Move indoors for thunder, severe warnings, or dangerous heat.
Cancellation calls
Canceling early can be frustrating, but it is safer than moving students in a storm.
Have a parent communication template ready.