Air Quality Watches & Advisories

Information current as of 4:57 pm Saturday, November 7, 2009.   

What is a Watch?

An Air Quality Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for air pollutants to reach unhealthy levels based on the Air Quality Index.

What is an Advisory?

An Air Quality Advisory is issued when air pollutants have reached unhealthy levels based on the Air Quality Index.

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more about the AQI

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The Department of Natural Resources uses weather forecasts and data from air monitoring sites to determine air quality in the state and notifies residents when pollutants reach unhealthy levels based on the Air Quality Index (AQI). The AQI includes two pollutants that can cause health problems in humans -- ozone and particle pollution.

To protect public health, the DNR may issue an advisory even though pollutant levels at some locations have not yet reached unhealthy levels. Forecasters evaluate weather conditions and typically issue an advisory when pollutant levels are rising and at least one monitor has exceeded the standard.

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Current Air Quality

• Today's Air Quality - Real-time monitoring of air quality around Wisconsin
• Daily Air Quality Hotline - 1-866-324-5924 (1-866-DAILY AIR)
• Visibility Monitoring Camera at Milwaukee, Wisconsin [exit DNR]
• EPA AirNow [exit DNR] - nationwide air quality forecasts

For More Information Including How You Can Help:

• Air Quality Index
• Air Quality Watches and Advisories Media Kit
• How You Can Help During an Ozone Watch/Advisory
• Do a little, save a lot!
• Local DNR air management program contacts