What is the AQI in my area right now?
The dashboard reads the latest US AQI value for your location from the Open-Meteo Air Quality API, which combines the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service global model with national monitoring stations. The display updates hourly and shows the AQI number, the matching category on the US EPA scale, the dominant pollutant, and a one-line recommendation for the current band.
US AQI runs from 0 to 500. 0 to 50 is Good, 51 to 100 is Moderate, 101 to 150 is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, 151 to 200 is Unhealthy, 201 to 300 is Very Unhealthy, and 301 and above is Hazardous. Each band carries a different health recommendation. The dashboard shows the right one for the current value so you can decide whether to exercise outside, open the windows, or stay indoors.
How is wildfire smoke risk calculated?
Smoke is the most common cause of sudden air quality drops in summer, and the cleanest way to detect it is PM2.5. Fine particles from wildfire smoke are mostly under 2.5 micrometers in diameter and stay airborne for days. When PM2.5 climbs above 35 µg/m³, there is almost always a smoke source somewhere in the region. The dashboard shows PM2.5 directly, and the air quality recommendation accounts for it.
When is wildfire season?
In the Northern Hemisphere, peak wildfire season runs from May through October. Conditions can vary a lot by region: the western United States and Canada see their worst fires in late summer, the Mediterranean basin peaks in August and September, and Siberia burns throughout July. The Southern Hemisphere has its own fire season from November through March.
What do PM2.5, PM10, and ozone mean?
Particulate matter (PM) is measured in two size buckets. PM10 covers particles up to 10 micrometers in diameter — dust, pollen, and coarse smoke. PM2.5 covers particles up to 2.5 micrometers — fine smoke, combustion byproducts, and the most health-relevant fraction. Both are shown on the dashboard. Ozone is a gas formed by the reaction of sunlight with vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions. It is the main component of summer smog.