Air Monitoring Data & AQI

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

Issued: Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 2:33 PM

Wednesday, as surface high pressure moves into Louisiana from the west, calm to light northwesterly winds will limit dispersion and gradually transport thin-density smoke into the northern portion of the state. As a result, AQI levels will be high-Good to low-Moderate over southern Louisiana and mid-Moderate across northern Louisiana. Thursday, a strong morning temperature inversion will confine pollutants at the surface, and calm to light southerly winds will limit dispersion through the morning hours. In addition, lingering thin smoke will keep particle levels slightly elevated over much of the state. However, an approaching cold front will produce slightly stronger southerly winds in the afternoon, promoting dispersion. Therefore, AQI levels will be low-Moderate in most cities. Friday, as a cold front departs the Bayou State, moderate north-northwesterly winds will disperse pollutants and keep the lower levels of the atmosphere well mixed. These conditions will lower AQI levels to Good to high-Good statewide.

Baton Rouge

 Wednesday Thursday Friday
Ozone 42 - Good 44 - Good 38 - Good
PM25 55 - Moderate 56 - Moderate 50 - Good

Alexandria

 Wednesday Thursday Friday
Ozone 39 - Good 42 - Good 34 - Good
PM25 64 - Moderate 55 - Moderate 44 - Good

Lake Charles

 Wednesday Thursday Friday
Ozone 36 - Good 42 - Good 35 - Good
PM25 60 - Moderate 55 - Moderate 44 - Good

Lafayette

 Wednesday Thursday Friday
Ozone 38 - Good 43 - Good 35 - Good
PM25 33 - Good 44 - Good 39 - Good

Monroe

 Wednesday Thursday Friday
Ozone 42 - Good 44 - Good 33 - Good
PM25 84 - Moderate 60 - Moderate 50 - Good

New Orleans

 Wednesday Thursday Friday
Ozone 42 - Good 44 - Good 36 - Good
PM25 44 - Good 55 - Moderate 50 - Good

Shreveport

 Wednesday Thursday Friday
Ozone 44 - Good 45 - Good 37 - Good
PM25 69 - Moderate 60 - Moderate 50 - Good

Thibodaux

 Wednesday Thursday Friday
Ozone 37 - Good 44 - Good 35 - Good
PM25 39 - Good 53 - Moderate 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.