ToClearSkies
🔥 See current wildfires →
Boston air right now

GoodAQI 17

Boston’s five-day smoke forecast shows the current index and the clearest time ahead.

17
AQI now
3.1
PM2.5 · µg/m³
Look farther for cleaner air

Where are you?

Search covers Canada and the United States.

The better move within a 3-hour drive

Dates

Dates follow you into hotel searches. Live inventory is confirmed by the provider.

You may already have the cleanest nearby air.No meaningfully cleaner place has a verified road route within 3 hours. Widen the range or show worse air for context.

Every town is also available in the ranked list.
Boston Local readings Clean · PM2.5 0–5 Good · 5–9 Elevated · 9–15 Polluted · 15–35 Unhealthy · 35–55 Severe · 55+
Top pick
Alton Bay
Cel-shaded illustration of Alton Bay
AQI 9
#1Alton BayChecking road route

New Hampshire· Good

Southern-bay village at the foot of Lake Winnipesaukee, a smaller, quieter lakefront base with cottages and motels.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1.6 µg/m³ here vs 3.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.6/22 × 7 = 0.5 here; 3.1/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
48% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Laconia Main St monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Springfield
Cel-shaded illustration of Springfield
AQI 9
#2Springfield~1 h 50 min drive

Massachusetts· Good

A major Massachusetts city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1.7 µg/m³ here vs 3.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.7/22 × 7 = 0.5 here; 3.1/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
45% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Springfield monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Salem
Cel-shaded illustration of Salem
AQI 12
#3SalemChecking road route

Massachusetts· Good

Harbor city on Massachusetts Bay, with coastal air and a deep hotel base a short train ride from Boston.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 2.2 µg/m³ here vs 3.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.2/22 × 7 = 0.7 here; 3.1/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
29% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Lynn monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Gloucester
Cel-shaded illustration of Gloucester
AQI 12
#4GloucesterChecking road route

Massachusetts· Good

America's oldest fishing port on Cape Ann, wrapped in open-Atlantic air, with harborfront inns and motels.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 2.2 µg/m³ here vs 3.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.2/22 × 7 = 0.7 here; 3.1/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
29% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Lynn monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Rockport
Cel-shaded illustration of Rockport
AQI 12
#5Rockport~55 min drive

Massachusetts· Good

Granite harbor town on the tip of Cape Ann, surrounded by ocean with steady marine air and a walkable stock of inns.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 2.2 µg/m³ here vs 3.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.2/22 × 7 = 0.7 here; 3.1/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
29% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Lynn monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Ipswich
Cel-shaded illustration of Ipswich
AQI 14
#6IpswichChecking road route

Massachusetts· Good

North Shore town with a long barrier beach and salt marsh, cooled by onshore ocean air, with inns and B&Bs.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 2.5 µg/m³ here vs 3.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.5/22 × 7 = 0.8 here; 3.1/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
19% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Haverhill monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Worcester
Cel-shaded illustration of Worcester
AQI 14
#7Worcester~1 h drive

Massachusetts· Good

A major Massachusetts city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 2.5 µg/m³ here vs 3.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.5/22 × 7 = 0.8 here; 3.1/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
19% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Worcester - Summer St monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Wickford
Cel-shaded illustration of Wickford
AQI 17
#8WickfordChecking road route

Rhode Island· Good

Colonial harbor village on Narragansett Bay, with waterfront galleries and steady bay-air exposure.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 3 µg/m³ here vs 3.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 here; 3.1/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
3% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Narragansett monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Newport
Cel-shaded illustration of Newport
AQI 17
#9Newport~1 h 40 min drive

Rhode Island· Good

Historic sailing city on Aquidneck Island, wrapped by ocean and bay with steady sea breezes and a deep lodging base.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 3 µg/m³ here vs 3.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 here; 3.1/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
3% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Narragansett monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Narragansett
Cel-shaded illustration of Narragansett
AQI 17
#10Narragansett~1 h 50 min drive

Rhode Island· Good

Rhode Island beach town facing open Atlantic surf, with a seawall promenade, sea wind and summer rentals.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 3 µg/m³ here vs 3.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 here; 3.1/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
3% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Narragansett monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Hampton Beach
Cel-shaded illustration of Hampton Beach
AQI 19
#11Hampton BeachChecking road route

New Hampshire· Good

Classic boardwalk beach town on New Hampshire's Atlantic shore, swept by onshore wind, with motels and rentals.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 3.4 µg/m³ here vs 3.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3.4/22 × 7 = 1.1 here; 3.1/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
10% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Portsmouth monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Rye
Cel-shaded illustration of Rye
AQI 19
#12RyeChecking road route

New Hampshire· Good

New Hampshire's short Atlantic coast, with rocky beaches and steady onshore sea air, minutes from Portsmouth.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 3.4 µg/m³ here vs 3.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3.4/22 × 7 = 1.1 here; 3.1/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
10% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Portsmouth monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Laconia
Cel-shaded illustration of Laconia
AQI 9
#13LaconiaChecking road route

New Hampshire· Good

Lakes Region hub between Winnipesaukee and Winnisquam, with a broad range of motels and lake-air exposure.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1.6 µg/m³ here vs 3.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.6/22 × 7 = 0.5 here; 3.1/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
48% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Laconia Main St monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Wolfeboro
Cel-shaded illustration of Wolfeboro
AQI 9
#14WolfeboroChecking road route

New Hampshire· Good

Oldest summer resort on Lake Winnipesaukee's eastern shore, with open-lake breezes and a walkable dock-front village.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1.6 µg/m³ here vs 3.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.6/22 × 7 = 0.5 here; 3.1/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
48% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Laconia Main St monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Meredith
Cel-shaded illustration of Meredith
AQI 9
#15MeredithChecking road route

New Hampshire· Good

Lake Winnipesaukee harbor town with a marina-front main street, cooled by open-water air off New Hampshire's biggest lake.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1.6 µg/m³ here vs 3.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.6/22 × 7 = 0.5 here; 3.1/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
48% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Laconia Main St monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Lincoln
Cel-shaded illustration of Lincoln
AQI 10
#16Lincoln~2 h 35 min drive

New Hampshire· Good

White Mountains resort town at Franconia Notch, a high-elevation base with cool mountain air and plentiful lodging.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1.8 µg/m³ here vs 3.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.8/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 3.1/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
42% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Waterville Valley
Cel-shaded illustration of Waterville Valley
AQI 10
#17Waterville ValleyChecking road route

New Hampshire· Good

Purpose-built resort valley ringed by White Mountain peaks, with condos, lodges and cool high-elevation air.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1.8 µg/m³ here vs 3.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.8/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 3.1/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
42% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Southwest Harbor
Cel-shaded illustration of Southwest Harbor
AQI 1
#18Southwest HarborChecking road route

Maine· Good

Quiet side of Mount Desert Island away from Bar Harbor's crowds, wrapped in the same cold Gulf of Maine air.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 0.2 µg/m³ here vs 3.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.2/22 × 7 = 0.1 here; 3.1/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

2.9 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Boston right now

94% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Acadia NP - McFarland monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Bar Harbor
Cel-shaded illustration of Bar Harbor
AQI 1
#19Bar Harbor~5 h 30 min drive

Maine· Good

Island town at the gateway to Acadia, wrapped by the cold Gulf of Maine with steady sea air and abundant lodging.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 0.2 µg/m³ here vs 3.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.2/22 × 7 = 0.1 here; 3.1/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

2.9 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Boston right now

94% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Acadia NP - McFarland monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Carleton North
Cel-shaded illustration of Carleton North
AQI 1
#20Carleton NorthChecking road route

New Brunswick· Good

New Brunswick community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 0.2 µg/m³ here vs 3.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.2/22 × 7 = 0.1 here; 3.1/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

2.9 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Boston right now

94% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:27 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town. No AQHI station is close enough.

Directions
Bad week ahead? Check the 7-day outlook — if it won’t clear, book the trip

7-day outlook

Plan the next seven days

Pick a day, or compare the whole week. Weather is forecast; air quality is the latest available reading.

Loading the week…

Finding the nicest days and reachable cities.

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDTLast scan Aug 23, 6:27 p.m. EDT · 49 min ago

Why live rankings? Smoke plumes are patchy and shift with the wind, so no direction is reliably cleaner. This list is recalculated from live PM2.5 every hour — and if everything nearby is smoky, it says so.

How we work this out →

Browse all 200 cities by province & state →

More air-quality pages in Massachusetts →
Springfield air qualityWorcester air quality
Air quality in nearby cities →
Providence air qualityHartford air qualityAlbany air qualityNew York City air qualitySherbrooke air qualityScranton air qualityMontréal air qualityAllentown air qualityLaval air qualitySyracuse air qualityPhiladelphia air qualityTrois-Rivières air quality

What this means · Boston

Good

AQI 17

AQI = Air Quality Index

Typical person. Air quality is satisfactory for most outdoor plans.

Kids, seniors, heart or lung conditions. Unusually sensitive people can still enjoy the outdoors.

The AQI on this page follows fine particles (PM2.5). Particles here are 3.1 µg/m³ (Clean), so the headline and the particle scale below tell the same story.

Act two · Fine particles only

Where PM2.5 lands

This bar is smoke and fine particles (PM2.5) only. Left is cleaner air; right is heavier particle pollution. Today's particles sit in Clean.

3.1 µg/m³
Clean · 0Smoky · 40Severe · 80+

Act three · Particle ladder

What each PM2.5 rung feels like

  • 0–3µg/m³Natural. About as clean as outdoor air realistically gets.
  • 3–5µg/m³Clean. Crisp, destination-worthy air.
  • 5–9µg/m³Good. Clean city air; most people will not notice anything today.
  • 9–15µg/m³Elevated. Usually no big deal today; sensitive lungs may notice hard exercise.
  • 15–35µg/m³Polluted. Smoke or traffic pollution is now worth acting on.
  • 35–55µg/m³Unhealthy. Symptoms become more likely, especially with asthma or heart disease.
  • 55+µg/m³Severe. Everyone should reduce exposure and clean the indoor air.

Act four · Felt number

Cigarettes a week

A secondary feel for the particle load only — not a medical claim, and not a substitute for AQI.

1.0/wk

What is PM2.5?

Fine particles about 30× thinner than a human hair — small enough to slip through your lungs and into your bloodstream. We measure them inµg/m³: micrograms of particle mass in a cubic metre of air.

The math

PM2.5 here is 3.1 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at this level: 3.1/22 × 7 = 1.0 cigarettes.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
See the full method →