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

Issued: Thursday, February 26, 2026, 2:32 PM

Thursday, as a cold front approaches Louisiana, southwesterly winds will weaken, hindering dispersion. Furthermore, these winds will gradually transport smoke from the western Gulf into the state, increasing particle levels. Therefore, despite enhanced atmospheric mixing, AQI levels will be low-Moderate in most locations. Friday, as the front gradually passes over the state, scattered showers and thunderstorms will aid vertical mixing across southeastern Louisiana. However, calm to light northeasterly winds will develop, limiting pollutant dispersion and recirculating smoke throughout the state. Additionally, increased relative humidity will promote particle formation, while increasing sun and warm temperatures promote ozone development in western Louisiana. These conditions will yield high-Good to low-Moderate AQI levels. Saturday, calm to light easterly winds will limit dispersion as a surface ridge of high pressure crosses Louisiana. In addition, sunny skies and highs near 80F will aid ozone development, while scattered agricultural fires may contribute to particle levels and ozone precursors. As a result, AQI levels will be low-Moderate statewide.

Baton Rouge

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 34 - Good 43 - Good 51 - Moderate
PM25 55 - Moderate 50 - Good 53 - Moderate

Alexandria

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 34 - Good 42 - Good 44 - Good
PM25 60 - Moderate 50 - Good 53 - Moderate

Lake Charles

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 37 - Good 54 - Moderate 51 - Moderate
PM25 66 - Moderate 60 - Moderate 56 - Moderate

Lafayette

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 37 - Good 49 - Good 58 - Moderate
PM25 53 - Moderate 44 - Good 50 - Good

Monroe

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 38 - Good 48 - Good 47 - Good
PM25 60 - Moderate 56 - Moderate 53 - Moderate

New Orleans

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 34 - Good 42 - Good 50 - Good
PM25 50 - Good 50 - Good 53 - Moderate

Shreveport

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 44 - Good 51 - Moderate 58 - Moderate
PM25 62 - Moderate 60 - Moderate 56 - Moderate

Thibodaux

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 32 - Good 40 - Good 49 - Good
PM25 53 - 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.