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

Issued: Friday, April 24, 2026, 2:32 PM

Friday, increasing clouds and scattered thunderstorms will reduce ozone development. However, southerly winds will transport thin-density smoke from the Gulf into Louisiana, increasing particle concentrations. Therefore, AQI levels will be high-Good in most cities. Saturday, as a cold front advances southward into the state and stalls, southerly winds will weaken slightly, reducing dispersion. However, scattered showers and thunderstorms will enhance mixing and reduce ozone formation. These conditions will yield high-Good to low-Moderate AQI levels statewide. Sunday, light winds through the morning hours will allow thin-density smoke and other pollutants to linger over the Bayou State. However, as a low-pressure system deepens to the northwest, southerly winds will strengthen in the afternoon, dispersing pollutants. Additionally, clouds and rain showers will continue to limit ozone production. As a result, AQI levels will remain high-Good to low-Moderate throughout the state.

Baton Rouge

 Friday Saturday Sunday
Ozone 42 - Good 45 - Good 44 - Good
PM25 50 - Good 53 - Moderate 50 - Good

Alexandria

 Friday Saturday Sunday
Ozone 35 - Good 39 - Good 37 - Good
PM25 50 - Good 53 - Moderate 50 - Good

Lake Charles

 Friday Saturday Sunday
Ozone 32 - Good 41 - Good 39 - Good
PM25 53 - Moderate 56 - Moderate 53 - Moderate

Lafayette

 Friday Saturday Sunday
Ozone 35 - Good 42 - Good 40 - Good
PM25 44 - Good 50 - Good 50 - Good

Monroe

 Friday Saturday Sunday
Ozone 34 - Good 40 - Good 39 - Good
PM25 50 - Good 50 - Good 44 - Good

New Orleans

 Friday Saturday Sunday
Ozone 50 - Good 49 - Good 46 - Good
PM25 44 - Good 50 - Good 44 - Good

Shreveport

 Friday Saturday Sunday
Ozone 33 - Good 40 - Good 39 - Good
PM25 53 - Moderate 55 - Moderate 53 - Moderate

Thibodaux

 Friday Saturday Sunday
Ozone 37 - Good 40 - Good 37 - Good
PM25 39 - Good 50 - 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.