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

Issued: Thursday, May 14, 2026, 2:30 PM

Thursday, as a weak stationary front settles over central Louisiana, light and variable winds will inhibit pollutant dispersion. In addition, mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the upper-80s will increase ozone production. Furthermore, light southwesterly winds will transport pollutants into Lake Charles from Houston. These conditions will result in low- to mid-Moderate AQI levels in most locations, with high-Moderate AQI levels anticipated in Lake Charles and Baton Rouge. Friday, surface high pressure east of the state will produce light to moderate southerly winds, aiding dispersion. However, these winds will also transport regional pollutants into the state. Furthermore, ample sunshine and continued warm temperatures will promote ozone formation. Therefore, AQI levels will be low- to mid-Moderate. Saturday, increasing south-southeasterly winds will gradually carry a cleaner air mass into Louisiana. In addition, increasing clouds will hinder ozone development. As a result, AQI levels will be Good to high-Good.

Baton Rouge

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 100 - Moderate 74 - Moderate 50 - Good
PM25 56 - Moderate 56 - Moderate 50 - Good

Alexandria

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 51 - Moderate 44 - Good 42 - Good
PM25 50 - Good 55 - Moderate 44 - Good

Lake Charles

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 100 - Moderate 51 - Moderate 40 - Good
PM25 60 - Moderate 55 - Moderate 44 - Good

Lafayette

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 64 - Moderate 51 - Moderate 44 - Good
PM25 53 - Moderate 53 - Moderate 39 - Good

Monroe

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 51 - Moderate 47 - Good 44 - Good
PM25 53 - Moderate 53 - Moderate 50 - Good

New Orleans

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 61 - Moderate 77 - Moderate 49 - Good
PM25 53 - Moderate 53 - Moderate 44 - Good

Shreveport

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 67 - Moderate 51 - Moderate 50 - Good
PM25 56 - Moderate 56 - Moderate 50 - Good

Thibodaux

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 51 - Moderate 48 - Good 42 - Good
PM25 53 - Moderate 53 - Moderate 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.