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

Issued: Saturday, September 26, 2026, 2:30 PM

Saturday, calm to light easterly to northeasterly winds will allow pollutants and thin smoke to accumulate across the region. Additionally, partly sunny skies and temperatures in the upper-80s to low-90s will aid ozone production. These conditions will lead to low- to mid-Moderate AQI levels. Sunday, light northerly to northeasterly winds will limit dispersion. Furthermore, mostly sunny skies, temperatures around 90-95F, and lingering smoke will promote ozone formation. Thus, AQI levels will remain low- to mid-Moderate. Monday, upper-level high pressure west of the state will reduce vertical mixing. In addition, calm to light surface winds will allow pollutants and smoke to accumulate. Furthermore, mostly sunny skies and temperatures around 90-95F will enhance ozone development. Therefore, AQI levels will be high-Moderate in Baton Rouge, with low- to mid-Moderate AQI levels elsewhere.

Baton Rouge

 Saturday Sunday Monday
Ozone 74 - Moderate 77 - Moderate 87 - Moderate
PM25 53 - Moderate 55 - Moderate 60 - Moderate

Alexandria

 Saturday Sunday Monday
Ozone 49 - Good 50 - Good 58 - Moderate
PM25 55 - Moderate 56 - Moderate 62 - Moderate

Lake Charles

 Saturday Sunday Monday
Ozone 50 - Good 51 - Moderate 61 - Moderate
PM25 56 - Moderate 58 - Moderate 64 - Moderate

Lafayette

 Saturday Sunday Monday
Ozone 51 - Moderate 54 - Moderate 64 - Moderate
PM25 50 - Good 53 - Moderate 58 - Moderate

Monroe

 Saturday Sunday Monday
Ozone 58 - Moderate 61 - Moderate 64 - Moderate
PM25 58 - Moderate 60 - Moderate 66 - Moderate

New Orleans

 Saturday Sunday Monday
Ozone 61 - Moderate 64 - Moderate 74 - Moderate
PM25 50 - Good 53 - Moderate 58 - Moderate

Shreveport

 Saturday Sunday Monday
Ozone 51 - Moderate 54 - Moderate 61 - Moderate
PM25 56 - Moderate 58 - Moderate 64 - Moderate

Thibodaux

 Saturday Sunday Monday
Ozone 51 - Moderate 54 - Moderate 64 - Moderate
PM25 44 - Good 50 - Good 56 - Moderate

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.