Recent Posts

All About the Air Quality Index

The Air Quality Index The Air Quality Index, or AQI, is a way to convey the state of air quality to the population. It is...
A diagram of ozone formation due to emissions and sunlight

Ground-Level Ozone

Tropospheric vs Stratospheric Ozone While many have heard of the ozone layer high up in the atmosphere that helps to shield the planet from solar...

PM2.5 and Pollen

What is PM2.5? Have you ever wondered what fine particle pollution is, or why we forecast a PM2.5 AQI? Fine particle pollution is made of...
Chart showing recognizable weather observations versus a comprehensive list of variables considered by air quality forecasters. (Courtesy of the “It’s Our Air” Curriculum for students)

Clearing the Air: A Discussion with Air Quality Forecasters

This post originally appeared on the State Climate Office’s Climate Blog in October 2018 as a guest post written by NC DAQ forecasters. Our final post in this year’s...
DAQ forecasters Elliot Tardif (left) and Bradley McLamb working on a forecast.

Beyond a Number: Making and Verifying an Air Quality Forecast

This post originally appeared on the State Climate Office’s Climate Blog in October 2018 as a guest post written by NC DAQ forecasters. Previously, we discussed the significant improvements...
Chart showing statewide exceedance days measured against the EPA’s most recent ozone standard.

Improving Air Quality Comes with a Forecasting Twist

This post originally appeared on the State Climate Office’s Climate Blog in October 2018 as a guest post written by NC DAQ forecasters. North Carolina’s air quality has improved...
Map showing the maximum 8-hour ozone concentrations on June 29, 2012.

Air Quality Forecasting: A Case Study

This post originally appeared on the State Climate Office’s Climate Blog in August 2014 as a guest post written by NC DAQ forecasters. For many locations in the Tar...
Diagram showing the size of fine particulate compared to a strand of hair and sand.

An Introduction to Air Quality Forecasting

This post originally appeared on the State Climate Office’s Climate Blog in August 2014 as a guest post written by NC DAQ forecasters. Air pollution can...