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Madison air right now

GoodAQI 48

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

48
AQI now
8.6
PM2.5 · µg/m³
2 cleaner spots within 3 hr drive

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.

Lake Geneva looks like the better move.71% cleaner air with a verified 1 h 40 min road trip. Rankings balance cleaner air with trip ease.

Every town is also available in the ranked list.
Madison Clean · PM2.5 0–5 Good · 5–9 Elevated · 9–15 Polluted · 15–35 Unhealthy · 35–55 Severe · 55+
Top pick
Lake Geneva
Cel-shaded illustration of Lake Geneva
AQI 14
#1Lake Geneva~1 h 40 min drive

Wisconsin· Good

Resort town on a spring-fed lake in southern Wisconsin, an easy open-water escape from Chicago, with lakeside resorts.

71% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 2.5 µg/m³ here vs 8.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.5/22 × 7 = 0.8 here; 8.6/22 × 7 = 2.7 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

6.1 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Madison right now

71% 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
Spring Green
Cel-shaded illustration of Spring Green
AQI 17
#2Spring GreenChecking road route

Wisconsin· Good

Driftless-region village on the Wisconsin River near House on the Rock, with hilly river-valley air.

65% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 3 µg/m³ here vs 8.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 here; 8.6/22 × 7 = 2.7 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

5.6 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Madison right now

65% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Cedarburg
Cel-shaded illustration of Cedarburg
AQI 26
#3CedarburgChecking road route

Wisconsin· Good

Historic mill town on Cedar Creek near Milwaukee, a walkable stone-building Main Street with inns.

47% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 4.6 µg/m³ here vs 8.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 4.6/22 × 7 = 1.5 here; 8.6/22 × 7 = 2.7 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

4 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Madison right now

47% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Harrington Beach monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Wisconsin Dells
Cel-shaded illustration of Wisconsin Dells
AQI 51
#4Wisconsin DellsChecking road route

Wisconsin· Moderate

Sandstone-gorge resort town on the Wisconsin River, with a huge stock of hotels and river-valley air.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 9.1 µg/m³ here vs 8.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 9.1/22 × 7 = 2.9 here; 8.6/22 × 7 = 2.7 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
6% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Devils Lake monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Milwaukee
Cel-shaded illustration of Milwaukee
AQI 52
#5Milwaukee~1 h 40 min drive

Wisconsin· Moderate

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

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 9.9 µg/m³ here vs 8.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 9.9/22 × 7 = 3.1 here; 8.6/22 × 7 = 2.7 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
15% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Milwaukee College Ave-Near Road monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Rockford
Cel-shaded illustration of Rockford
AQI 62
#6RockfordChecking road route

Illinois· Moderate

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

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 15.2 µg/m³ here vs 8.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 15.2/22 × 7 = 4.8 here; 8.6/22 × 7 = 2.7 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Madison

77% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Rockford monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Fitchburg
Cel-shaded illustration of Fitchburg
AQI unavailable
#7FitchburgChecking road route

Wisconsin

Wisconsin community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Waunakee
Cel-shaded illustration of Waunakee
AQI unavailable
#8WaunakeeChecking road route

Wisconsin

Wisconsin community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Verona
Cel-shaded illustration of Verona
AQI unavailable
#9VeronaChecking road route

Wisconsin

Wisconsin community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Cottage Grove
Cel-shaded illustration of Cottage Grove
AQI unavailable
#10Cottage GroveChecking road route

Wisconsin

Wisconsin community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Oregon
Cel-shaded illustration of Oregon
AQI unavailable
#11OregonChecking road route

Wisconsin

Wisconsin community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Windsor
Cel-shaded illustration of Windsor
AQI unavailable
#12WindsorChecking road route

Wisconsin

Wisconsin community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Green Bay
Cel-shaded illustration of Green Bay
AQI 18
#13Green Bay~2 h 55 min drive

Wisconsin· Good

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

63% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 3.2 µg/m³ here vs 8.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3.2/22 × 7 = 1.0 here; 8.6/22 × 7 = 2.7 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

5.4 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Madison right now

63% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Green Bay East High monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Galena
Cel-shaded illustration of Galena
AQI 55
#14Galena~2 h 5 min drive

Illinois· Moderate

Restored 19th-century town among the wooded bluffs of Illinois' driftless northwest, a hilly reset from the flatlands, with historic inns and B&Bs.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 11.3 µg/m³ here vs 8.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 11.3/22 × 7 = 3.6 here; 8.6/22 × 7 = 2.7 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Madison

31% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Potosi monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Chicago
Cel-shaded illustration of Chicago
AQI 60
#15Chicago~3 h drive

Illinois· Moderate

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

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 14 µg/m³ here vs 8.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 14/22 × 7 = 4.5 here; 8.6/22 × 7 = 2.7 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Madison

63% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the CHI_SP monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Rome
Cel-shaded illustration of Rome
AQI unavailable
#16RomeChecking road route

Wisconsin

Wisconsin community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Viroqua
Cel-shaded illustration of Viroqua
AQI unavailable
#17ViroquaChecking road route

Wisconsin

Wisconsin community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Batchawana Bay
Cel-shaded illustration of Batchawana Bay
AQI 3
#18Batchawana BayChecking road route

Ontario· Good

Sweeping Lake Superior bay north of the Soo, with cabins and motels right on the sand.

93% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 0.6 µg/m³ here vs 8.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.6/22 × 7 = 0.2 here; 8.6/22 × 7 = 2.7 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

8 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Madison right now

93% 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
Ludington
Cel-shaded illustration of Ludington
AQI 4
#19LudingtonChecking road route

Michigan· Good

Lake Michigan port town with a long public beach, swept by onshore lake wind, with harborside inns.

92% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 0.7 µg/m³ here vs 8.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.7/22 × 7 = 0.2 here; 8.6/22 × 7 = 2.7 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

7.9 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Madison right now

92% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Leland
Cel-shaded illustration of Leland
AQI 4
#20LelandChecking road route

Michigan· Good

Historic Fishtown harbor village on the Leelanau Peninsula, cooled by Lake Michigan air, with inns.

92% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 0.7 µg/m³ here vs 8.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.7/22 × 7 = 0.2 here; 8.6/22 × 7 = 2.7 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

7.9 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Madison right now

92% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

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 Wisconsin →
Green Bay air qualityMilwaukee air quality
Air quality in nearby cities →
Rockford air qualityChicago air qualityPeoria air qualityGrand Rapids air qualityMinneapolis air qualityDes Moines air qualityFort Wayne air qualityIndianapolis air qualitySt. Louis air qualityToledo air qualityDetroit air qualityWindsor air quality

What this means · Madison

Good

AQI 48

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 8.6 µg/m³ (Good), 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 Good.

8.6 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.

2.7/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 8.6 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at this level: 8.6/22 × 7 = 2.7 cigarettes.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
See the full method →