Inclement Weather, What You Should Know

Our programs and facilities are impacted by inclement weather. Please see below to learn the easiest ways to find the information you need.

Learn About Facility Closures …

By Phone

Call 703-228-4715 for updated information about our facilities’ status’, including fields and buildings. The line is updated every weekday at 3 p.m. and then as necessary. On weekends, the line is updated by 7 a.m. and then as necessary throughout the day. For major weather events (e.g., snow), the line will be updated by 5:30 a.m.

SMS Text Alerts (Fields Only)

Find out about daily field closures, due to inclement weather, through this free service. Learn more & sign up.

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Program Specific Closures

  • Enjoy Arlington Recreation Classes: If you take a class through our Enjoy Arlington catalog and there is a weather emergency (e.g., snow), we will update our weather hotline: 703-228-4715 with the exception of tennis. * If you take a tennis class through our program, a coach will call you to cancel the class in the event of inclement weather.
  • 55+ Activities: If you participate in one of our 55+ programs and there is a weather emergency, call our weather hotline at 703-228-4715 or phone your center.
  • Nature: Indoor programs are cancelled in conjunction with Arlington County school’s closing policy. Outdoor programs may be cancelled due to rain or other inclement weather – call nature centers for more information.

Field Closures

Every athlete knows there are two things you can’t control, the referee or the weather. We close our fields for inclement weather, and we open them depending on how quickly we can get them to recover. Our goal is to have as many people as possible enjoying our fields on any given day.

While we are proactive so our fields can last a season, we also want to ensure our players last as well. Soggy fields can cause injuries as can the consequences from them as they dry unevenly and with holes. Learn more about why we close our fields, and sign up for field closure text alerts.

Lightning Safety

Thunderstorms and lightning can occur year-round and at all hours. However, they are most likely to happen in the spring and summer months during the afternoon and evening hours.

Lightning’s behavior is random and unpredictable. Preparedness and quick response are the best defenses towards the lightning hazard. That being said, it is important to make yourself aware of basic lightning safety:

  • When thunder is heard, or a cloud-to-ground lightning bolt is seen, the thunderstorm is close enough to strike your location with lightning.  Suspend play and take shelter immediately.  Safe structures include the nearest school building, building, house, or a fully enclosed vehicle with windows tightly closed. Press boxes, sheds, storage buildings, or dugouts will not provide adequate protection.
  • 30/30 Rule or Thirty-minute rule.  Once play has been suspended, wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard or flash of lightning is witnessed prior to resuming play.
  • Any subsequent thunder or lightning after the beginning of the 30-minute count, resets the clock and another 30-minute count should begin.

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County-Wide Closings, Delays & Cancellations

Check Arlington County’s Emergency Weather page to learn about county-wide closures and delays. Register for Arlington Alerts to receive emergency info via text or email.

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