Low Cost Sensor
Air quality and weather data are typically displayed on this web page within a hour of their collection. As a result, data quality is not guaranteed for scientific and regulatory purposes. These data may be revised at a later time.
Ground-level ozone (O3) measured in parts per billion (ppb) forms near the Earth's surface when volatile organic compounds react with nitrogen oxide emissions in the presence of sunlight. This is different from the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere, which protects us from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Ground-level ozone can harm both humans and plants. Learn more about how ozone affects humans ». Learn more about how ozone affects plants ».
Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) pollution includes wind-blown dust, smoke from burning fossil fuels, and smoke from forest and grassland fires. Particulate matter can affect humans and visibility. Learn more about how particulate matter affects humans ». Learn more about how particulate matter affects visibility ».
Visual range is reported in miles (mi) or kilometers (km). It is defined as the greatest distance at which a large black object can be seen and recognized against the background sky.
Visual range is calculated from measurements of light scattering and absorption by particles and gases.
Fine particles and gaseous air pollution affect how far and how clearly we can see to some degree in every national park.
Learn more about how air pollution affects visibility ».
Information about local atmospheric conditions, including temperature, wind, humidity, and precipitation, can be important for understanding air quality.
Ground-level ozone (O3) measured in parts per billion (ppb) forms near the Earth's surface when volatile organic compounds react with nitrogen oxide emissions in the presence of sunlight. This is different from the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere, which protects us from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Ground-level ozone can harm both humans and plants. Learn more about how ozone affects humans ». Learn more about how ozone affects plants ».
Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) pollution includes wind-blown dust, smoke from burning fossil fuels, and smoke from forest and grassland fires. Particulate matter can affect humans and visibility. Learn more about how particulate matter affects humans ». Learn more about how particulate matter affects visibility ».
The forecast shown here displays calculated 24-hour air quality index (AQI) values for particulate matter based on the NOAA High-Resolution Rapid Refresh Smoke (HRRR-Smoke) model. This model uses satellite data to determine fire emissions and a three-dimensional weather-smoke model to simulate smoke dispersion. The forecast AQI is based on the surface smoke variable. Each symbol on the map represents a grid point of the model output (3 kilometer resolution). The model is updated hourly, and the model start time is shown above the map. The calculated AQI is only for particulate matter from surface smoke. The model does not currently provide data on other particle types and may not be as protective as the overall AQI that considers other sources of particulate matter and ozone.
Learn more about the HRRR-Smoke Model »