Air Quality Portal
Education
Looking for more information about air quality? Check out the resources listed below for background information on measuring, forecasting, and improving air quality across North Carolina.
Air Quality Index
Air quality forecasts are often reported using the Air Quality Index, or AQI, which tells you how clean or polluted your air is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for you. Please visit EPA’s Air Quality Index page to learn more.
| Color | Category | Numerical Range | Description of Air Quality |
| Green | Good | 0 to 50 | Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk. |
| Yellow | Moderate | 51 to 100 | Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. |
| Orange | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | 101 to 150 | Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected. |
| Red | Unhealthy | 151 to 200 | Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. |
| Purple | Very Unhealthy | 201 to 300 | Health alert: the risk of health effects is increased for everyone. |
| Maroon | Hazardous | 301 + | Health warning of emergency conditions: everyone is more likely to be affected. |
About Air Quality Forecasts
Read more about the factors involved in building the daily forecasts from a series of posts on the State Climate Office blog written by our team of meteorologists.
From August 2014:
An Introduction to Air Quality Forecasting
Air Quality Forecasting: A Case Study
From October 2018:
Improving Air Quality Comes with a Forecasting Twist
Beyond a Number: Making and Verifying an Air Quality Forecast
Clearing the Air: A Discussion with Air Quality Forecasters
Consumer Air Sensors
Have questions about air sensors? See our FAQ here.