Field Level
Monitoring surface-level heat index and wet bulb globe temperature where athletes compete.
WEATHERSTEM CASE STUDY · COLLEGE ATHLETICS
Weather Inside The Swamp: Zone-by-Zone Data at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Since 2017, the University of Florida has used Weatherstem to see real-time, location-specific weather across one of college football's largest stadiums, from the field to the upper decks.
Weatherstem partner since 2017
88,000+Seats
2017Partner since
3 zonesField · Shade · Upper decks
LivePublic stadium data
Overview
Florida weather, at the scale of The Swamp
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, home of the Florida Gators, is one of the largest and most iconic stadiums in college football. With seating for over 88,000 fans and a demanding year-round athletics schedule, managing Florida's volatile weather is a critical concern.
In 2017, the University of Florida partnered with Weatherstem to deploy a cutting-edge weather monitoring system inside the stadium. The system delivers real-time, location-specific weather data that supports safety, operations and fan engagement.
The challenge
One stadium, many different conditions
- Frequent exposure to heat, humidity, lightning and storms, all common in Florida's climate.
- Limited visibility into weather conditions at different areas within the stadium, from the field to shaded seating and elevated levels.
- A need for a solution that enables quick, informed decision-making to protect both athletes and fans.
The solution
Weatherstem Protect, placed throughout the stadium
Weatherstem deployed a Protect system with sensors and cameras strategically placed throughout the stadium:
Shaded Seating Sections
Capturing conditions in more comfortable areas for fan guidance.
Press Level and Upper Decks
Detecting wind and rain with a full sensor suite.
- Delivered real-time weather data and visual insights accessible by athletics staff, operations teams and the public.
- Enabled custom alerts and thresholds for heat stress, lightning proximity and severe weather.
Results and benefits
Location-specific data behind every game-day call
Microclimate awareness
Staff gained new visibility into how weather conditions differ between areas (shaded vs. exposed, upper levels vs. field), enabling better guidance for crowd safety and athletic performance.
Operational readiness
Game-day decisions on delays, evacuations and hydration protocols are now data-driven and location-specific.
Public safety and trust
Fans can view live weather conditions in key areas of the stadium before and during events, improving transparency and preparedness.
Long-term partnership
For over seven years, Weatherstem has provided dependable data, responsive support and proactive upgrades.
Key takeaways for stadiums
What other venues can learn from UF
Zone-specific insights
Weatherstem systems provide insight by zone, not just generic weather conditions.
Smarter decisions
Understanding variations across seating, field and upper levels leads to smarter safety and fan experience decisions.
Real-time coordination
The system supports emergency planning, staff coordination and public communication in real time.
At a glance
- Client
- University of Florida
- Location
- Gainesville, FL
- Facility
- Ben Hill Griffin Stadium ("The Swamp")
- Partner since
- 2017
- Use case
- Weather monitoring for athletic operations, emergency planning and public engagement
- Live data
- alachua.weatherstem.com/uf
We have been very happy and pleased with WeatherSTEM as a weather data resource our UF Campus meteorologists, athletics staff, and fans can use to view the real-time weather data on the UF campus as well as in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
See the weather in every part of your venue
Talk with our team about zone-by-zone monitoring, custom alerts and live public data for your stadium, campus or event.