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

Issued: Saturday, April 11, 2026, 2:30 PM

Saturday, mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-80s will enhance ozone formation in the Bayou State. Furthermore, calm to light southeasterly winds through the morning and midday hours will lead to pollutant build-up. Therefore, despite stronger winds enhancing dispersion in the afternoon, AQI levels will continue to be high-Good to low-Moderate. Sunday, moderate southerly winds will aid dispersion across much of the state as a surface trough of low pressure develops over north Texas. In addition, increasing clouds will hinder ozone formation across western Louisiana. However, lighter winds, fewer clouds, and warm temperatures will continue to support ozone development across far southeastern parts of the state. In addition, thin smoke from regional agricultural fire activity will contribute to particle levels. As a result, AQI levels will continue to be high-Good to low-Moderate. Monday, as moisture increases over the state and skies become partly to mostly cloudy, ozone production will continue to decrease. Furthermore, moderate southerly winds will aid dispersion throughout the day. However, these winds will also transport regional pollutants northward from the Gulf, contributing to particle levels. These conditions will lead to another day of high-Good to low-Moderate AQI levels.

Baton Rouge

 Saturday Sunday Monday
Ozone 58 - Moderate 51 - Moderate 49 - Good
PM25 50 - Good 50 - Good 53 - Moderate

Alexandria

 Saturday Sunday Monday
Ozone 44 - Good 42 - Good 41 - Good
PM25 50 - Good 50 - Good 44 - Good

Lake Charles

 Saturday Sunday Monday
Ozone 42 - Good 43 - Good 41 - Good
PM25 44 - Good 50 - Good 53 - Moderate

Lafayette

 Saturday Sunday Monday
Ozone 51 - Moderate 47 - Good 44 - Good
PM25 39 - Good 50 - Good 50 - Good

Monroe

 Saturday Sunday Monday
Ozone 50 - Good 47 - Good 43 - Good
PM25 53 - Moderate 50 - Good 53 - Moderate

New Orleans

 Saturday Sunday Monday
Ozone 51 - Moderate 58 - Moderate 50 - Good
PM25 44 - Good 44 - Good 50 - Good

Shreveport

 Saturday Sunday Monday
Ozone 44 - Good 41 - Good 40 - Good
PM25 53 - Moderate 55 - Moderate 55 - Moderate

Thibodaux

 Saturday Sunday Monday
Ozone 44 - Good 46 - Good 45 - Good
PM25 33 - Good 44 - Good 44 - Good

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.