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

Issued: Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 2:32 PM

Wednesday, as a weak cold front slowly moves southward into the Bayou State, increasing clouds and periods of rain will limit ozone formation. However, southerly winds will carry thin-density smoke from the western Gulf into the western and northern portions of Louisiana. These conditions will yield Good to low-Moderate AQI levels. Thursday, as the cold front gradually advances through southern Louisiana, clouds and showers will continue to inhibit ozone production. Furthermore, periods of moderate northeasterly winds will disperse pollutants and bring cleaner air into northern and central portions of the state, leading to Good to high-Good AQI levels. However, across southern Louisiana, lighter northeasterly winds limit dispersion and gradually recirculate thin smoke into the area, leading to high-Good to low-Moderate AQI levels. Friday, a low-pressure system over southern Texas will produce moderate northeasterly winds in Louisiana, effectively dispersing pollutants and bringing cleaner, cooler air into the state. Therefore, AQI levels will be Good statewide.

Baton Rouge

 Wednesday Thursday Friday
Ozone 47 - Good 44 - Good 39 - Good
PM25 50 - Good 53 - Moderate 44 - Good

Alexandria

 Wednesday Thursday Friday
Ozone 37 - Good 34 - Good 31 - Good
PM25 53 - Moderate 44 - Good 39 - Good

Lake Charles

 Wednesday Thursday Friday
Ozone 33 - Good 32 - Good 30 - Good
PM25 56 - Moderate 53 - Moderate 44 - Good

Lafayette

 Wednesday Thursday Friday
Ozone 33 - Good 39 - Good 33 - Good
PM25 50 - Good 50 - Good 44 - Good

Monroe

 Wednesday Thursday Friday
Ozone 29 - Good 31 - Good 28 - Good
PM25 56 - Moderate 39 - Good 33 - Good

New Orleans

 Wednesday Thursday Friday
Ozone 49 - Good 46 - Good 39 - Good
PM25 39 - Good 44 - Good 39 - Good

Shreveport

 Wednesday Thursday Friday
Ozone 28 - Good 31 - Good 29 - Good
PM25 56 - Moderate 44 - Good 39 - Good

Thibodaux

 Wednesday Thursday Friday
Ozone 37 - Good 38 - Good 34 - Good
PM25 33 - Good 44 - Good 39 - 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.