Modesto City Schools installs weather stations to protect students from heat-related illnesses
MODESTO – Modesto City Schools is installing state-of-the-art weather stations across its high schools, saying it will allow coaches and administrators to make informed decisions about outdoor activities and protect student-athletes from heat-related illnesses.
The weather stations will provide real-time monitoring of weather conditions by tracking Wet Bulb Globe Temperature. It will extend to a four-mile radius from each campus and update every 15 minutes.
Not only will the temperature be monitored, but these stations will also monitor humidity, wind speed, air quality, precipitation, WBGT and lightning strikes.
"This system sets us apart in the Central Valley, providing a comprehensive, districtwide solution for real-time weather monitoring," said Dr. Sarah 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."
This technology will not only be used at the seven high schools but will also support all 34 schools in the school district.
Modesto City School partnered with Perry Weather, whose technology is used by professional sports teams, to make the installations possible.
"This technology gives us a tremendous advantage in safeguarding our students' health," said Mark Herbst, associate superintendent of Student Support Services. "With the ability to monitor real-time conditions at every school, we can make informed decisions not only about heat but also air quality and other weather-related hazards, keeping our students safe, particularly during wildfire season."