When is it too hot for recess and PE? What the Volusia County Schools system says

For children in school, recess is usually a welcome break during a day full of reading, writing and arithmetic, especially during the first week back from summer break.

But is it ever too hot to go outside and play?

The short answer: Yes.

Guidance from Volusia County Schools

Physical education teachers were instructed to move their classes indoors when the heat index reaches 95 degrees or higher, said Volusia County Schools spokeswoman Danielle Johnson, via email Wednesday.

Recent heat index values have been around 110 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

"As such, teachers are stressing the importance of hydration and moving PE into indoor classrooms and spaces," Johnson said, adding that teachers are encouraged to use the OSHA-NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) Heat Safety Tool app for additional guidance.

The app offers a location-specific real-time heat index and hourly forecasts with recommendations for planning outdoor activities based on heat conditions.

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The record-breaking temperatures may also impact high school football games.

The Florida High School Athletic Association reminded members this week about following policy that outlines temperature guidelines regarding when games should be delayed, canceled or postponed due to the heat.

Members are required to monitor heat stress and modify outdoor practices and games based on Wet Bulb Global Temperature (WBGT) guidelines, which are determined using a handheld device. The device measures heat stress in direct sunlight and takes into account temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle, and cloud cover.

• 82 degrees or below on the wet bulb: Athletic practices and games can be held without restrictions.

• Up to 86.9 degrees: Games can proceed with discretion.

• 87 degrees or higher: Practice times are limited, rest breaks are increased and football players are instructed to remove some protective equipment, which would result in game delays.

• Above 92 degrees: All outdoor activities are suspended and cannot resume until temperatures cool.

Record-breaking temperatures

New heat records were set in the Daytona Beach area on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

The previous record high for both Tuesday and Wednesday, set in 1997 and 2022, respectively, was 95 degrees, Melissa Watson, a meteorologist with the weather service, said Thursday. The new record high for both days was 97 degrees.

Increased moisture and storms should help cool the temperature down to the low 90s over the next few days, but heat index values may still reach as high as 105 degrees, Watson said.

Where to cool down in Volusia County

Given the recent heat index values, Volusia County has offered a list of locations where residents can cool down if they need somewhere to go with air conditioning and water fountains:

• Daytona Beach Regional Library, 105 Jackie Robinson Parkway, Daytona Beach. Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

• DeBary Public Library, 200 N. Charles R. Beall Blvd., DeBary. Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

• DeLand Regional Library, 130 E. Howry Ave., DeLand. Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

• Deltona Regional Library, 2150 Eustace Ave., Deltona. Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

• Edgewater Public Library, 103 W. Indian River Blvd., Edgewater. Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

• Hope Place Public Library, 1310 Wright St., Daytona Beach. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

• John H. Dickerson Heritage Library, 4111 S. Keech St., Daytona Beach. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.

• Lake Helen Public Library, 221 N. Euclid Ave., Lake Helen. Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• New Smyrna Beach Regional Library, 1001 S. Dixie Freeway, New Smyrna Beach. Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

• Oak Hill Public Library, 125 E. Halifax Ave., Oak Hill. Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• Orange City Public Library, 148 Albertus Way, Orange City. Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• Ormond Beach Regional Library, 30 S. Beach St., Ormond Beach. Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

• Pierson Public Library, 115 N. Volusia Ave., Pierson. Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• Port Orange Regional Library, 1005 City Center Circle, Port Orange. Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

• The Bridge Shelter, 421 S. Palmetto Ave., DeLand. Hours: noon to 5 p.m. daily through Aug. 23.

• Ponce Inlet Town Hall, 4300 S. Atlantic Ave. Hours: 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday through Aug. 25.

• Ponce Inlet Community Center, 4670 S. Peninsula Drive. Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week through Aug. 25.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Record-breaking temperatures: When it's too hot for recess in Volusia