Air Monitoring Data & AQI

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

Issued: Thursday, August 21, 2025, 2:32 PM

Thursday, isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms will reduce ozone development and aid dispersion during the afternoon and evening across Louisiana. However, periods of sun and high temperatures in the low-90s will promote ozone formation. In addition, areas of thin smoke will contribute to particle levels and ozone precursors. As a result, AQI levels will be high-Good to low-Moderate in most locations, with mid-Moderate AQI levels anticipated in Baton Rouge. Friday, scattered to widespread showers and thunderstorms will promote atmospheric mixing and keep ozone development in check across southern Louisiana as a weak cold front shifts southward across the state. Meanwhile, light northeasterly winds will gradually transport a cleaner air mass into northern Louisiana. Therefore, AQI levels will be Good to high-Good statewide. Saturday, as the front shifts into southeastern Louisiana, increasing sun and warming temperatures will promote ozone development across much of the state. In addition, light north-northeasterly winds will hinder dispersion, allowing pollutants to accumulate. These conditions will result in high-Good to low-Moderate AQI levels.

Baton Rouge

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 74 - Moderate 44 - Good 48 - Good
PM25 55 - Moderate 44 - Good 53 - Moderate

Alexandria

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 42 - Good 41 - Good 45 - Good
PM25 44 - Good 39 - Good 44 - Good

Lake Charles

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 46 - Good 41 - Good 42 - Good
PM25 50 - Good 44 - Good 44 - Good

Lafayette

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 44 - Good 40 - Good 44 - Good
PM25 53 - Moderate 50 - Good 53 - Moderate

Monroe

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 43 - Good 44 - Good 48 - Good
PM25 44 - Good 39 - Good 44 - Good

New Orleans

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 51 - Moderate 42 - Good 44 - Good
PM25 53 - Moderate 44 - Good 50 - Good

Shreveport

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 44 - Good 46 - Good 49 - Good
PM25 33 - Good 39 - Good 50 - Good

Thibodaux

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 41 - Good 32 - Good 40 - Good
PM25 53 - Moderate 44 - Good 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.