Air Monitoring Data & AQI

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Ozone and PM2.5 Air Quality Index (AQI) Forecast

Issued: Wednesday, December 4, 2024, 5:32 PM

Wednesday, light to moderate southeasterly winds will recirculate pollutants across the Bayou State as a cold front approaches Louisiana. In addition, increasing relative humidity will promote particle formation as rain showers move across the state. Therefore, AQI levels will be low-Moderate. Thursday, overnight and early morning rainfall will aid atmospheric mixing as the cold front moves across the region. In addition, northerly to north-northeasterly winds behind the departing front will enhance dispersion and transport cleaner air into the state throughout the day. As a result, AQI levels will be Good statewide. Friday, decreasing northeasterly winds will reduce dispersion as a surface high pressure system moves into Arkansas. In addition, smoke from agricultural fires may contribute to particle levels, leading to high-Good to low-Moderate AQI levels in most locations.

Baton Rouge

 Wednesday Thursday Friday
Ozone 34 - Good 28 - Good 29 - Good
PM25 62 - Moderate 44 - Good 53 - Moderate

Alexandria

 Wednesday Thursday Friday
Ozone 25 - Good 31 - Good 25 - Good
PM25 58 - Moderate 39 - Good 44 - Good

Lake Charles

 Wednesday Thursday Friday
Ozone 30 - Good 31 - Good 29 - Good
PM25 56 - Moderate 39 - Good 50 - Good

Lafayette

 Wednesday Thursday Friday
Ozone 30 - Good 31 - Good 28 - Good
PM25 58 - Moderate 39 - Good 53 - Moderate

Monroe

 Wednesday Thursday Friday
Ozone 20 - Good 30 - Good 25 - Good
PM25 56 - Moderate 33 - Good 39 - Good

New Orleans

 Wednesday Thursday Friday
Ozone 32 - Good 29 - Good 28 - Good
PM25 56 - Moderate 50 - Good 50 - Good

Shreveport

 Wednesday Thursday Friday
Ozone 19 - Good 31 - Good 24 - Good
PM25 55 - Moderate 33 - Good 44 - Good

Thibodaux

 Wednesday Thursday Friday
Ozone 31 - Good 25 - Good 26 - Good
PM25 56 - Moderate 44 - Good 53 - Moderate

More Information About Understanding AQI Information

The AQI is an index for reporting daily air quality. It tells you how clean or unhealthy your air is, and what associated health effects might be a concern. The AQI focuses on health effects you may experience within a few hours or days after breathing unhealthy air. The following chart provides information regarding the AQI determinations:

Category AQI Value What This Means
Good 0-50 Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
Moderate 51-100 Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups 101-150 Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected.
Unhealthy 151-200 Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
Very Unhealthy 201-300 Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.
Hazardous 301-500 Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects.

Any questions about interpreting this monitoring data should be directed to the DEQ Customer Services Section at 1-866-896-5337.

TO REPORT ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS, INCLUDING ODORS, CONTACT THE DEQ SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT (SPOC) - 225-219-3640 or Toll Free 1-888-763-5424. In the event of an environmental emergency, citizens are encouraged to first contact their local authorities - police, sheriff, fire department, etc. Otherwise citizens and the regulated community can contact the SPOC line to report environmental concerns during business hours, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday at the number listed above. To report a concern outside of business hours call 225-342-1234 or the toll free number. Concerns include spills, releases, odors, fish kills, open burning, waste tires and any other types of environmental incidents. Citizens can report the incident online.

The data has not been quality reviewed or validated. Continuous PM2.5 readings shown are not NAAQS comparable.