CDM Weather Policy

Purpose:

To ensure the safety of Patrons, Vendors, Volunteers and CDM Leaders through a clear, predictable response plan for severe weather—especially extreme cold, snow, ice, and high winds—during CDM.

Weather Monitoring & Authority

1. Primary Weather Monitor: Assistant Festival Director (or designee).
   1. We use National Weather Service (Des Moines office) alerts: winter storm warnings, wind chill warnings, blizzard warnings, ice storm warnings, etc. (National Weather Service)
2. Monitoring Frequency: At minimum every 2 hours during event days; more frequently during active advisories.
3. Decision Authority: Festival Director, in consultation with CDM Site Leaders.
4. Communication: Once a decision is made, notify internal teams and Vendors via group message and update public channels promptly.

Operational Thresholds

Thresholds are loosely tied to Polk County’s and Iowa’s extreme cold preparedness guidance to be aligned with local expectations. (Ready Iowa)

1. Normal Operations
   1. Wind chill above 0°F.
   2. Light snow with no hazardous accumulation.
   3. All Programming and Vendor hours remain as scheduled.
2. Modified Operations
   1. Triggered when:
      1. Wind chill between 0°F and -10°F, OR
      2. Active Wind Chill Advisory, Winter Weather Advisory, or minor ice forecast.
   2. Actions:
      1. Shorten hours if needed.Increase frequency of walkway treatments. Encourage Vendors and CDM Leaders to implement warm-up breaks.
      2. Promote warming areas to Patrons.
3. Extreme Cold Operations
   1. Triggered when:
      1. Wind chill between -10°F and -20°F, OR
      2. Wind Chill Warning, significant ice, or sustained high winds.
   2. Actions:
      1. Consider closing early or delaying opening.
      2. Move performances indoors or cancel.
      3. Restrict volunteer shift lengths.
      4. Require CDM Leader/Vendor warm-up rotations.
      5. Activate Warming Station Protocol.
4. Closure
   1. Triggered when:
      1. Wind chill -20°F or below, OR
      2. Blizzard Warning, OR
      3. Ice Storm Warning, OR
      4. Road conditions inhibit EMS/fire access, OR
      5. State or local authorities advise limited travel
   2. Actions:
      1. Cease operations.
      2. Secure all huts/tents.
      3. Inform Vendors and Public immediately.

Site Safety Measures

1. Clear/treat walkways.
2. Maintain emergency access lanes.
3. Use only approved heaters.
4. Ensure ventilation and safe power loads.
5. Provide Public and Vendor warming areas.

Vendor Safety Expectations

1. Follow heater and tent safety rules.
2. Report hazards immediately.

Staff & Volunteer Protocols

1. Required cold-weather attire.
2. Mandatory warm-up breaks in extreme cold.
3. Recognize frostbite/hypothermia signs.
4. Rotate CDM Leaders during cold conditions.