Hi Plungers,
As we’re sure many of you realize, the weather forecast for this weekend is simply awful. After a relatively mild winter so far, Mother Nature and the North Wind have conspired to bring sub-zero temps and gusts that make conditions unsafe to be outside, let alone jump into the lake. Special Olympics Vermont is very disappointed to let you know that we’ve had to turn the 28th annual Penguin Plunge into a remote event.
Tyler Jankoski, Chief Meteorologist for WPTZ-TV NBC5 News has informed us that based on several global meteorological models, he has high confidence that "air temperatures will stay below zero in the Champlain Valley for most, if not all of Saturday. With even a little wind, it could feel like 30 below zero." He added that wind chill warnings will very likely be communicated for the entire northeast region by the national weather service by mid-week.
Public Safety Authority Derek Libby, Acting Chief and Task Force Leader for Burlington Fire Department, in consultation with the National Weather Service, strongly advised against holding the Penguin Plunge this weekend as any outdoor event would pose significant threats to public safety, stating “Participant and spectator safety are of utmost importance and there are significant concerns that these temperatures will present an unsafe environment. While we wholeheartedly support the efforts of the Penguin Plunge and the great work of Special Olympics Vermont, we share these public safety concerns as a means to protect the participants, spectators, and support staff throughout the entire event.”
Please read our Frequently Asked Questions to get answers to questions you may have, including information about how to plunge remotely. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to reach out to our office at events@vtso.org.
Thank you for your continued support of Special Olympics Vermont. We very much look forward to seeing you at the Waterfront with beautiful weather in 2024!
Sincerely,
Missy Siner, President & CEO and The SOVT Team
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