Air Monitoring Data & AQI

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

Issued: Tuesday, April 23, 2024, 2:30 PM

Tuesday, as a surface high pressure system departs to the east, light to moderate southerly winds will aid dispersion. However, abundant sunshine and temperatures around 75-80F will support ozone formation, leading to low- to mid-Moderate AQI levels in most cities. Wednesday, calm to light winds across the state will limit pollutant dispersion. Furthermore, as an upper-level ridge of high pressure begins to build over the state, mostly sunny skies and temperature in the low- to mid-80s will enhance ozone production. These conditions will yield mid- to high-Moderate AQI levels in most locations. Thursday, southerly to southeasterly winds will strengthen, aiding dispersion. However, mostly sunny and warm conditions will continue to promote ozone development, while upper-level high pressure over the state will inhibit mixing. Therefore, AQI levels will be low- to mid-Moderate.

Baton Rouge

 Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Ozone 71 - Moderate 87 - Moderate 74 - Moderate
PM2.5 42 - Good 53 - Moderate 50 - Good

Alexandria

 Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Ozone 51 - Moderate 67 - Moderate 54 - Moderate
PM2.5 38 - Good 50 - Good 46 - Good

Lake Charles

 Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Ozone 64 - Moderate 80 - Moderate 67 - Moderate
PM2.5 33 - Good 46 - Good 42 - Good

Lafayette

 Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Ozone 67 - Moderate 84 - Moderate 71 - Moderate
PM2.5 42 - Good 53 - Moderate 50 - Good

Monroe

 Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Ozone 50 - Good 61 - Moderate 51 - Moderate
PM2.5 29 - Good 42 - Good 38 - Good

New Orleans

 Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Ozone 67 - Moderate 84 - Moderate 71 - Moderate
PM2.5 50 - Good 55 - Moderate 46 - Good

Shreveport

 Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Ozone 51 - Moderate 64 - Moderate 54 - Moderate
PM2.5 33 - Good 46 - Good 42 - Good

Thibodaux

 Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Ozone 54 - Moderate 71 - Moderate 58 - Moderate
PM2.5 42 - Good 53 - Moderate 50 - 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.