Madison, WI Air Quality & Pollen (2024)

FAQs

Madison, WI Air Quality & Pollen? ›

Fair

Most of the time, vehicles are the main source of particulate matter in Madison. The photo on the left was taken on a day with dangerously high levels of particulate matter pollution, when the air appears hazy and brown. The photo on the right is from a good air quality day with no reduced visibility.

This region suffers from a multitude of air emissions sources, some locally produced and others that cross over from southeast Wisconsin and northern Illinois. The major source of air pollution is from vehicle traffic.

Outdoor air pollution is caused by particles and gasses that are not normally part of the air. This can come from pollen, smoke, dust, ozone, and emissions from cars and factories. All of these can create poor outdoor air quality. Bad outdoor air quality can make asthma and allergies worse.

In 2023, Canadian wildfire smoke spurred the most air quality advisories Wisconsin had seen in more than a decade. DNR Air Management Program Outreach Coordinator Craig Czarnecki told WPR that before last year, it had been about a decade since the state issued an advisory regarding wildfire smoke during the spring.

Vehicle and industrial emissions from fossil fuel combustion, cigarette smoke, and burning organic matter, such as wildfires, all contain PM. A subset of PM, fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) is 30 times thinner than a human hair.

Long, humid days and more direct sunlight make it easier for the sky to hold onto particulate matter, creating that hazy weather. Speaking of hot, humid days, did you know that particulate matter is more likely to stay in the air longer, causing reduced visibility, when humidity levels spike?

What is the most polluted city in Wisconsin? ›

Worst in the U.S. Beloit ranked 14th on the report's list of 15 most polluted cities in Canada and the U.S. — and was the only U.S. city on that list. The report says that the 2023 Canadian wildfires significantly influenced air quality in both countries. The report also mentions Milwaukee, where average PM2.

Electricity powers all aspects of our lives, but the way it is generated is accelerating climate change. There are still more than 3,400 fossil-fuel fired power plants operating in the United States today, and electricity production is Wisconsin's largest source of global warming pollution.

The areas in Wisconsin most often impacted by unhealthy ozone levels are the counties in the southeastern part of the state along the shores of Lake Michigan, from Kenosha County up to Door County. On average, those counties exceed the national ozone standards, called NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standards).

Most purifiers capture particles like dust and pollen, but the best air purifiers with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters can remove air pollutants as small as 0.1 microns, thanks to their multi-layer network of fine threads. Activated carbon filters can also help to remove odors.

Maria Garcia-Lloret, MD, a UCLA Health pediatric allergist and immunologist, said light rain can clean pollution from the air and clear away pollen. But recent record-breaking rainfall has pummeled pollen into smaller particles that are more easily inhaled and reach deeper into the lungs.

Allergies to pollen commonly cause symptoms of hay fever including: runny, itchy, congested nose. sneezing. irritable, itchy, watery and red eyes.

Very Unhealthy. AQI values between 201 and 300 trigger a health alert, meaning everyone may experience more serious health effects. Hazardous. AQI values over 300 trigger health warnings of emergency conditions.

Madison, WI weather report

The barometric pressure is 30.27 - measured by inch of mercury units - and is rising since its last observation. The humidity is 44.2 percent with a dew point of 35.6 degrees fahrenheit that is falling since the last report. Wind direction is North at 5 miles per hour, gusting at 2 mph.

24-Hour Air Quality Forecast

The air quality is ideal for most individuals; enjoy your normal outdoor activities.