Air Quality Forecasting

Email: Dan Salkovitz or Kristen Stumpf or Mike Kiss

Current estimated air quality index and forecasts by region

Forecasts updated October 1, 2013 1:43 pm EDT.

Region	Current conditions as of October 1, 2013 6:39 pm EDT		Forecast for October 1, 2013		Forecast for October 2, 2013
Region	Estimated Air Quality Index	Primary Pollutant	Forecast	Primary Pollutant	Forecast	Primary Pollutant
Richmond	Good - 40	O3	Good	PM2.5	Good	PM2.5
Hampton Roads	Good - 41	O3	Good	PM2.5	Good	PM2.5
Northern Virginia	Good - 37	O3	Moderate	PM2.5	Moderate	PM2.5
Roanoke	Good - 30	O3	Good	PM2.5	Good	PM2.5
Winchester	Good - 47	PM2.5	Moderate	PM2.5	Moderate	PM2.5

Air Quality Index

Sign up to receive air quality forecasts and health alerts by email. Go to DEQcast to begin.
You can also receive updates for the Washington, DC metro area from Clean Air Partners.

Air Quality History - Ozone at Unhealthy Levels

About Air Quality

Virginia DEQ monitors level of ozone and particle pollution from stations around Virginia. Both of these are pollutants that, at high levels, may raise health concerns in some people.

Ground-level ozone is the main ingredient in smog. It is a colorless gas formed by the reaction of sunlight with vehicle emissions, gasoline fumes, solvent vapors, and power plant and industrial emissions. Ozone formation is most likely in hot, dry weather when the air is fairly still.

Particle pollution monitoring is now available on the web for select areas in Virginia. Particle pollution is made up of particles found in soot, dust, smoke, and fumes. The burning of coal, oil, diesel, and other fuels produces these particles. The particles are small enough to enter deep into the lungs and cause health problems.

Ozone and particle pollution have been linked to short-term health concerns, particularly among children, asthmatics, people with heart or lung disease, and older adults. The effects of these pollutants can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise when levels are high. You can use the forecast for the following day to plan your activities during the summer months. More information on the health effects of air pollutants is available from AirNow.

What Can I Do?

Be aware. Keep an eye on the pollutant levels and forecasts for your area.
When levels are high, stay inside if you can. Avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
Help keep pollutant levels low by avoiding unnecessary fuel consumption. Use carpools and fuel-efficient vehicles.
Avoid the use of any other gasoline engines, such as mowers and other lawn equipment, or boat motors.
Save power by turning off lights and appliances when they are not needed.
Avoid burning yard debris or brush.

For More Information...

Regional Air Quality Action Programs

PLEASE NOTE: This data has not been verified by the Virginia DEQ and may change. This is the most current data, but it is not official until it has been certified by our technical staff. Data is collected from Virginia DEQ ambient monitoring sites and may include data collected by other outside agencies. This data is updated hourly. All times shown are in local standard time unless otherwise indicated.