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Cold Injuries | PT Weather Chart & Uniform Regulations

Cold Injuries | PT Weather Chart & Uniform Regulations

The Army Physical Training (PT) weather chart provides guidelines on conducting outdoor physical training in various weather conditions to ensure the safety and well-being of soldiers. 

  • These guidelines take into consideration different weather elements like temperature, humidity, wind chill, and heat conditions.
  • The Army takes safety seriously and establishes these guidelines to protect soldiers from conditions that might cause heat- or cold-related injuries.

Typically, this kind of weather chart categorizes conditions into different flags or colors, each representing a level of risk. 

Army Weather Chart for Physical Activity

Some general guidelines from the chart include:

Heat Categories:

  1. Green Flag:
    • Temperature Range: 78°F (25.5°C) to 84.9°F (29.4°C)
    • Activities: All physical training activities are allowed. Ensure soldiers hydrate adequately.
  2. Yellow Flag:
    • Temperature Range: 85°F (29.5°C) to 87.9°F (31°C)
    • Recommendations: Strenuous exercise should be conducted with caution. Outdoor classes should be held in shaded areas.
  3. Red Flag:
    • Temperature Range: 88°F (31.1°C) to 89.9°F (32.2°C)
    • Recommendations: Strenuous exercises and activities should be limited to 6 hours per day. Consider rescheduling training to cooler parts of the day.
  4. Black Flag:
    • Temperature Range: 90°F (32.2°C) and above
    • Recommendations: Suspend all outdoor physical training. Essential operations should be conducted with caution, with frequent breaks.

Cold weather:

  • Physical training is not recommended when the wind chill drops below 0°F.
  • Soldiers must dress appropriately for cold weather and ensure they are well-hydrated.
  • Be aware of signs and symptoms of cold-weather injuries such as frostbite and hypothermia.
  1. Black:
    • Temperature Range: -10°F (-23°C) and below
    • Recommendations: Outdoor activity should be limited or suspended unless essential.
  2. Red:
    • Temperature Range: 10°F (-12°C) to -9°F (-22.8°C)
    • Recommendations: Limit outdoor activity. Ensure proper cold-weather gear and frequent warming breaks.

Other Conditions:

  • Considerations should also be made for other weather conditions like rain, lightning, and snow. In the event of lightning, outdoor activities should be suspended.

Acclimatization:

  • Soldiers, especially those new to an area, may not be acclimated to the local weather. It’s crucial to give soldiers time to adjust to a new environment.

Hydration:

  • Staying hydrated is crucial, especially in hot weather. Ensure soldiers have regular water breaks.

Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT):

  • This is an effective way to measure environmental conditions. It accounts for temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle, and cloud cover (solar load). It’s the primary tool the Army uses to determine heat categories.


Army PT Weather Chart for Physical Activity:

Flag ColorTemperature Range (°F)Temperature Range (°C)Recommendations
Green78 to 84.925.5 to 29.4All physical training activities are allowed. Ensure soldiers hydrate adequately.
Yellow85 to 87.929.5 to 31Strenuous exercise should be conducted with caution. Outdoor classes should be held in shaded areas.
Red88 to 89.931.1 to 32.2Strenuous exercises and activities should be limited to 6 hours per day. Consider rescheduling training to cooler parts of the day.
Black90 and above32.2 and aboveSuspend all outdoor physical training. Essential operations should be conducted with caution, with frequent breaks.
Army PT Weather Chart

Cold PT Weather Chart Conditions:

  • Wind chill below 0°F: suspend outdoor PT.
  • Dress appropriately for the cold weather.
  • Stay well-hydrated.
  • Monitor for signs and symptoms of cold-weather injuries.

Flag ColorTemperature Range (°F)Temperature Range (°C)Recommendations
Black-10 and below-23 and belowOutdoor activity should be limited or suspended unless essential.
Red10 to -9-12 to -22.8Limit outdoor activity. Ensure proper cold-weather gear and frequent warming breaks.
Cold PT Weather Chart

Other Weather PT Conditions:

ConditionGuidelines
RainEnsure proper attire. Monitor for slippery conditions.
LightningSuspend outdoor activities.
SnowEnsure proper attire. Monitor for slippery conditions and visibility.

General Recommendations:

  • Acclimatization is essential for soldiers new to an area.
  • Always stay hydrated and ensure regular water breaks.
  • Consult the WBGT for accurate environmental conditions.

Notes:

  • The above table is a simplified version, and you should always refer to the most recent
  • It’s essential to note that the above is a general overview. The Army PT weather chart is more detailed, and leaders must be familiar with it to ensure the safety of their soldiers during physical training.
  • Remember that these flag conditions consider not just the temperature but also the heat index, which accounts for humidity, wind chill, and direct exposure to sunlight. 
  • Heat injuries can occur even in cooler temperatures if the heat index is high due to humidity.
  • Additionally, always refer to the most recent Army regulations, local command guidelines, or the official Army Weather Chart for the most accurate and updated information. 
  • This summary provides a general idea but might not cover specific requirements or all the nuances of the official guidelines.


Army PT Uniform Weather Chart Regulation

The Army regulates the wear of the physical training (PT) uniform based on weather conditions to ensure the safety and well-being of its soldiers during physical activities. 

  • The Army PT Uniform Weather Chart provides guidance for soldiers on which Physical Training (PT) uniform items to wear based on specific temperature ranges. 

While the specific regulations might be subject to change and should be consulted in the most recent Army Regulation (AR) or Field Manual (FM), here’s a general breakdown of the Army PT uniform weather chart based on temperature:

Above 60°F (15°C):

  • Summer PT Uniform:
    • PT shirt (short sleeve)
    • PT shorts
    • PT socks and running shoes
    • Optional: PT cap, wristbands

Between 40°F (4°C) and 60°F (15°C):

  • Improved Physical Fitness Uniform (IPFU) – Transitional:
    • Long-sleeve PT shirt or jacket
    • PT shorts or pants based on personal preference
    • PT socks and running shoes
    • Optional: PT cap, gloves, neck gaiter

Between 20°F (-6°C) and 40°F (4°C):

  • Winter PT Uniform:
    • Long-sleeve PT shirt and jacket
    • PT pants
    • PT socks and running shoes
    • Mandatory: PT cap, gloves
    • Optional: neck gaiter

Below 20°F (-6°C):

  • Extreme Cold Weather PT Uniform:
    • Long-sleeve PT shirt and jacket
    • PT pants
    • Cold-weather outer layers as authorized
    • PT socks, running shoes or, cold-weather boots
    • Mandatory: PT cap, gloves, neck gaiter, and other cold-weather gear as required.


Army PT Weather Uniform Chart:

Temperature Range (°F)Uniform ComponentAdditional Notes
40 and aboveShort sleeve shirt, shorts, socks, running shoesOptional items: long sleeve shirt, running jacket, gloves, hat.
30 to 39Long sleeve shirt, shorts, socks, running shoesOptional items: running jacket, gloves, hat, running tights.
20 to 29Long sleeve shirt, running jacket, running tights, gloves, hat, socks, running shoesConsider wearing a moisture-wicking base layer.
10 to 19Layering of moisture-wicking garments, running jacket, running tights, gloves, hatIt’s crucial to prevent excessive sweating and moisture buildup.
0 to 9Max layering, running jacket, winter hat, gloves, wind pants, moisture-wicking layersEnsure all exposed skin is protected.
Below 0PT is typically not advised outdoorsIf essential, ensure all exposed skin is covered and protected.
Army PT Weather Uniform Chart

Extract From AR 670-1, 3-7

d. Soldiers may wear optional uniform items as prescribed in this regulation and DA Pam 670-1. All uniform combinations are authorized for year-round wear. However, Soldiers should use appropriate discretion based upon weather conditions and duties. Wearing combinations of uniform items not prescribed in this regulation, DA Pam 670–1, or other authorization documents approved by HQDA is prohibited. Commanders will not prescribe seasonal wear dates for uniform items, but may prescribe uniform(s) based on safety reasons (for example, for extreme cold or hot weather based on temperature).

https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN30302-AR_670-1-000-WEB-1.pdf

Additional Considerations:

  • Wind Chill: It’s essential to consider the wind chill factor, which can significantly lower the effective temperature. When the wind chill is significantly low, more layers or moving PT indoors might be necessary.
  • Moisture: In wet conditions, soldiers should consider wearing water-resistant or moisture-wicking garments to prevent chills.
  • Personal Preference: While the army provides guidelines, individual soldiers might prefer slight modifications based on their comfort level, as long as it’s within regulations.

Please note that while this chart provides a basic guideline, commanders at all levels are responsible for determining the appropriate uniform based on current weather conditions, ensuring the safety and well-being of their soldiers. 

Also, always refer to the most recent version of AR 670-1 and local command guidelines for the most accurate and updated information.

Army PT Wind Chill Chart
Army PT Wind Chill Chart

Army Weather PT Uniform Regulation
Army Weather PT Uniform Regulation
George N.
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