UIL WBGT Class 2 vs. Class 3
Which Applies to Your Texas School - and Why It Changes Everything About Your August Practices
Quick answer: Texas UIL schools are divided into two WBGT classes based on campus location. Class 2 (West Texas and the Panhandle) begins required activity modifications at WBGT ≥ 79.7°F. Class 3 (Central, East, and South Texas) begins modifications at WBGT ≥ 82.0°F. Your class is based on where your campus sits geographically, not your athletic conference or enrollment.
Texas doesn't treat all heat the same - and neither does the UIL. When the University Interscholastic League formalized its WBGT heat stress mandate for the 2026-27 school year, it built in a geographic distinction that matters enormously for your program's daily practice schedule. Getting your class wrong means either unnecessary restrictions on manageable days or, far worse, failing to restrict when conditions are genuinely dangerous.
Here is everything you need to know about UIL WBGT classes, which one applies to your school, and what the difference means on the ground when August rolls around.
What Are UIL WBGT Classes?
The UIL divides Texas into two geographic zones for the purpose of heat stress thresholds. The classification is based on the typical climate characteristics of each region - specifically, the relationship among temperature, humidity, and the human body's ability to cool itself through evaporation.
Class 2 applies to schools in West Texas and the Panhandle - regions with generally lower humidity where sweat evaporates more efficiently and the same air temperature poses a lower physiological heat stress burden.
Class 3 applies to schools in Central, East, South, and coastal Texas - regions where high ambient humidity dramatically limits the body's ability to cool through sweat evaporation, making the same air temperature far more dangerous.
Why Two Different Thresholds?
WBGT is specifically designed to account for humidity as a primary driver of heat stress - not just air temperature. A 90°F day in El Paso with 15% humidity produces a very different WBGT than a 90°F day in Houston with 85% humidity. In the El Paso scenario, sweat evaporates rapidly and cools the body effectively. In the Houston scenario, sweat barely evaporates at all, and core body temperature climbs much faster.
Class 2 schools begin required modifications at a lower WBGT threshold (79.7°F) because even modest heat stress in drier climates is meaningful. Class 3 schools begin at 82.0°F because those programs already operate routinely at elevated WBGT levels and the protocol is calibrated to be both protective and sustainable in those conditions.
The practical result: on the same calendar day, in the same state, a Class 2 school in Amarillo and a Class 3 school in Houston may be operating under different flag levels - and both would be correct.
Class 2 Counties - West Texas and the Panhandle
The following counties fall under Class 2 thresholds. Activity modifications are required beginning at WBGT ≥ 79.7°F.
Region 1 - The Panhandle
Dallam, Sherman, Hansford, Ochiltree, Lipscomb, Hartley, Moore, Hutchinson, Roberts, Hemphill, Oldham, Potter, Carson, Gray, Wheeler, Deaf Smith, Randall, Armstrong, Donley, Collingsworth, Parmer, Castro, Swisher, Briscoe, Hall, Childress, Bailey, Lamb, Hale, Floyd, Motley, Cottle, Cochran, Hockley, Lubbock, Crosby, Dickens, King.
Region 2 - West Texas and Far West Texas
Yoakum, Terry, Lynn, Garza, Kent, Stonewall, Gaines, Dawson, Borden, Scurry, Fisher, Andrews, Martin, Howard, Mitchell, Nolan, Loving, Winkler, Ector, Midland, Glasscock, Ward, Crane, Upton, Reagan, Reeves, Pecos, Terrell, Brewster, Presidio, Culberson, Hudspeth, El Paso.
Northern Texoma and Red River Region
Hardeman, Foard, Wilbarger, Wichita, Knox, Baylor, Archer, Clay, Montague, Cooke, Grayson.
Class 3 Counties - Central, East, and South Texas
All remaining Texas counties fall under Class 3 thresholds. Activity modifications are required beginning at WBGT ≥ 82.0°F. This includes the following major regions:
East Texas and Gulf Coast
Harris, Galveston, Jefferson, Chambers, Liberty, Orange, Hardin, Jasper, Newton, Tyler, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, Angelina, Nacogdoches, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Panola, Rusk, Harrison, Marion, Cass, Bowie, Morris, Titus, Camp, Upshur, Gregg, Smith, Cherokee, Houston, Leon, Madison, Walker, Montgomery, Grimes, Waller, Fort Bend, Brazoria, Wharton, Matagorda, Jackson, Victoria, Calhoun, Refugio, Aransas, San Patricio, Nueces, Kleberg, Kenedy, Willacy, Cameron, Hidalgo, Brooks, Jim Hogg, Starr, Zapata, Webb, Jim Wells, Live Oak, Bee, Goliad, DeWitt, Karnes, Wilson, Atascosa, Frio.
Central and North Texas
Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Denton, Rockwall, Ellis, Johnson, Hood, Parker, Palo Pinto, Somervell, Erath, Eastland, Comanche, Brown, Mills, Hamilton, Bosque, Hill, Navarro, Anderson, Freestone, Limestone, Falls, McLennan, Bell, Williamson, Milam, Robertson, Burleson, Brazos, Washington, Lee, Bastrop, Travis, Hays, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Comal, Bexar, Kendall, Bandera, Medina, Uvalde, Real, Edwards, Kinney, Val Verde, Maverick.
Any county not located in the arid West Texas or Panhandle regions defaults to Class 3.
Not sure about your county? Always verify at uiltexas.org using the official UIL WBGT map. When in doubt, apply the Class 3 threshold - it is the more conservative standard and more closely matches humidity conditions across most of Texas.
What the Class Difference Looks Like on a Real Practice Day
Here is a concrete comparison. It is August 14, 2:30 p.m. Both cities report 92°F air temperature.
| Condition | Lubbock (Class 2) | Houston (Class 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Air temperature | 92°F | 92°F |
| Relative humidity | 22% | 78% |
| Estimated WBGT | ∼79°F | ∼88°F |
| UIL flag level | Green - normal activity | Red-1 - 1-hour max, no conditioning |
| Protective equipment | Full equipment allowed | No protective equipment |
| Rest breaks required | 3 per hour, 3 min each | 20+ min distributed rest |
Same thermometer. Same calendar day. Two completely different compliance requirements. This is exactly why WBGT exists - and why your class assignment matters.
Does Class Apply to Away Games?
The UIL requirements apply to practices and conditioning sessions, not competitions - though WBGT monitoring is strongly recommended at games as well. For away competitions, you bring your own WBGT monitoring capability. Your class determines your thresholds regardless of where you are competing - your campus location sets your class, not the opponent's.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Class 3 thresholds if I'm a Class 2 school?
Technically yes - Class 3 thresholds are more conservative (modifications kick in sooner), so applying them is never less safe. But for accurate compliance record-keeping and fair scheduling, use the threshold assigned to your campus.
What if my school is right on the border between regions?
Go by your county. UIL assigns class by county, not by city or zip code. If your county is listed under Class 2, that is your threshold. If it does not appear on the Class 2 list, default to Class 3. When in doubt, confirm at uiltexas.org.
Does marching band use the same class as football?
Yes. The UIL WBGT guidelines apply equally to all outdoor athletic activities and marching band. The same class and thresholds that govern football two-a-days apply to band camp.
The Kestrel 5400 - Switch Classes in Seconds
The Kestrel 5400 Heat Stress Tracker and KestrelMet 6400 WBGT Weather Station comes pre-programmed with state zone heat stress thresholds and allows you to set custom WBGT flag warnings to match your class. Whether you are a Class 2 school in Lubbock or a Class 3 program in San Antonio, the Kestrel gives you the right alert at the right threshold - automatically.
Sources & References
UIL Heat Stress & Athletic Participation Plan: https://www.uiltexas.org/health/info/heat-stress-and-athletic-participation
UIL Legislative Council Official Press Release, June 10, 2026: uiltexas.org/press-releases
American College of Sports Medicine - Heat Stress Guidelines for Athletics
