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

Issued: Thursday, March 26, 2026, 2:30 PM

Thursday, despite moderate south-southwesterly winds aiding dispersion, lingering smoke from localized agricultural fires will contribute to particle concentrations. In addition, mostly sunny skies and warm temperatures will support ozone formation across the southern portion of the state. As a result, AQI levels will be low-Moderate in most cities. Friday, a morning inversion will trap pollutants near the ground, while patchy morning fog will enhance particle production. Additionally, mostly sunny skies and warm temperatures will continue to promote ozone development across southern Louisiana, where AQI levels will be low- to mid-Moderate. In central and northern Louisiana, an approaching cold front will promote mixing, with westerly to northerly winds aiding dispersion. These conditions will yield Good to high-Good AQI levels in Alexandria, Shreveport, and Monroe. Saturday, moderate and gusty north-northeasterly winds behind the departing front will increase mixing and disperse pollutants. However, ample sunshine will aid ozone formation. Therefore, AQI levels will be Good to high-Good.

Baton Rouge

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 61 - Moderate 71 - Moderate 49 - Good
PM25 64 - Moderate 64 - Moderate 39 - Good

Alexandria

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 38 - Good 40 - Good 35 - Good
PM25 53 - Moderate 50 - Good 28 - Good

Lake Charles

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 47 - Good 50 - Good 44 - Good
PM25 53 - Moderate 53 - Moderate 33 - Good

Lafayette

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 54 - Moderate 64 - Moderate 48 - Good
PM25 60 - Moderate 60 - Moderate 39 - Good

Monroe

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 39 - Good 38 - Good 33 - Good
PM25 50 - Good 44 - Good 28 - Good

New Orleans

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 51 - Moderate 61 - Moderate 46 - Good
PM25 58 - Moderate 58 - Moderate 33 - Good

Shreveport

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 38 - Good 37 - Good 32 - Good
PM25 44 - Good 39 - Good 28 - Good

Thibodaux

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 48 - Good 51 - Moderate 44 - Good
PM25 56 - Moderate 56 - Moderate 33 - 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.