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

Issued: Thursday, April 9, 2026, 2:32 PM

Thursday, light to moderate east-southeasterly winds will recirculate thin-density smoke and other pollutants into Louisiana, increasing particle levels slightly. Furthermore, mostly sunny skies and warm temperatures will aid ozone formation. As a result, AQI levels will be high-Good to low-Moderate. Friday, mixing will improve slightly as a weak trough of low pressure aloft passes south of the state. However, east-southeasterly surface winds will weaken, reducing dispersion. In addition, warm temperatures will continue to promote ozone development. Thus, AQI levels will be low-Moderate in most locations. Saturday, mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the 80s will enhance ozone formation in the Bayou State. Furthermore, calm to light southeasterly winds through the morning and midday hours will lead to pollutant build-up. Therefore, despite stronger winds enhancing dispersion in the afternoon, AQI levels will be high-Good to low-Moderate.

Baton Rouge

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 51 - Moderate 49 - Good 58 - Moderate
PM25 53 - Moderate 55 - Moderate 53 - Moderate

Alexandria

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 44 - Good 43 - Good 48 - Good
PM25 44 - Good 50 - Good 44 - Good

Lake Charles

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 44 - Good 44 - Good 48 - Good
PM25 50 - Good 50 - Good 44 - Good

Lafayette

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 50 - Good 46 - Good 51 - Moderate
PM25 53 - Moderate 53 - Moderate 50 - Good

Monroe

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

New Orleans

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 50 - Good 47 - Good 58 - Moderate
PM25 53 - Moderate 55 - Moderate 53 - Moderate

Shreveport

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 51 - Moderate 51 - Moderate 54 - Moderate
PM25 53 - Moderate 55 - Moderate 53 - Moderate

Thibodaux

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 43 - Good 43 - Good 49 - Good
PM25 50 - 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.