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Milwaukee air right now

ModerateAQI 52

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

52
AQI now
9.9
PM2.5 · µg/m³
3 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.75% cleaner air with a verified 1 h 5 min road trip. Rankings balance cleaner air with trip ease.

Every town is also available in the ranked list.
Milwaukee 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 5 min drive

Wisconsin· Good

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

75% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 2.5 µg/m³ here vs 9.9 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.5/22 × 7 = 0.8 here; 9.9/22 × 7 = 3.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

7.4 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Milwaukee right now

75% 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
Cedarburg
Cel-shaded illustration of Cedarburg
AQI 26
#2CedarburgChecking road route

Wisconsin· Good

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

54% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 4.6 µg/m³ here vs 9.9 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 4.6/22 × 7 = 1.5 here; 9.9/22 × 7 = 3.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

5.3 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Milwaukee right now

54% 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
Madison
Cel-shaded illustration of Madison
AQI 48
#3Madison~1 h 40 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.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 8.6 µg/m³ here vs 9.9 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 8.6/22 × 7 = 2.7 here; 9.9/22 × 7 = 3.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
13% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Madison University Ave monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Chicago
Cel-shaded illustration of Chicago
AQI 60
#4Chicago~1 h 50 min 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 9.9 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 14/22 × 7 = 4.5 here; 9.9/22 × 7 = 3.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Milwaukee

41% 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
Rockford
Cel-shaded illustration of Rockford
AQI 62
#5RockfordChecking 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 9.9 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 15.2/22 × 7 = 4.8 here; 9.9/22 × 7 = 3.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Milwaukee

54% 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
Fox Point
Cel-shaded illustration of Fox Point
AQI unavailable
#6Fox PointChecking 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
Brown Deer
Cel-shaded illustration of Brown Deer
AQI unavailable
#7Brown DeerChecking 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
Butler
Cel-shaded illustration of Butler
AQI unavailable
#8ButlerChecking 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
Hales Corners
Cel-shaded illustration of Hales Corners
AQI unavailable
#9Hales CornersChecking 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
Brookfield
Cel-shaded illustration of Brookfield
AQI unavailable
#10BrookfieldChecking 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
Oak Creek
Cel-shaded illustration of Oak Creek
AQI unavailable
#11Oak CreekChecking 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
New Berlin
Cel-shaded illustration of New Berlin
AQI unavailable
#12New BerlinChecking 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
Ludington
Cel-shaded illustration of Ludington
AQI 4
#13LudingtonChecking road route

Michigan· Good

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

93% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 0.7 µg/m³ here vs 9.9 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.7/22 × 7 = 0.2 here; 9.9/22 × 7 = 3.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

9.2 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Milwaukee right now

93% 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
Sturgeon Bay
Cel-shaded illustration of Sturgeon Bay
AQI 9
#14Sturgeon Bay~3 h drive

Wisconsin· Good

Door County's harbour city between the bay and Lake Michigan, wrapped in peninsula lake air, with inns and waterfront rentals.

84% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 1.6 µg/m³ here vs 9.9 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.6/22 × 7 = 0.5 here; 9.9/22 × 7 = 3.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

8.3 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Milwaukee right now

84% 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
#15Spring GreenChecking road route

Wisconsin· Good

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

70% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 3 µg/m³ here vs 9.9 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 here; 9.9/22 × 7 = 3.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

6.9 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Milwaukee right now

70% 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
Green Bay
Cel-shaded illustration of Green Bay
AQI 18
#16Green Bay~2 h 15 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.

68% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 3.2 µg/m³ here vs 9.9 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3.2/22 × 7 = 1.0 here; 9.9/22 × 7 = 3.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

6.7 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Milwaukee right now

68% 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
Grand Haven
Cel-shaded illustration of Grand Haven
AQI 23
#17Grand HavenChecking road route

Michigan· Good

Lake Michigan pier town at the Grand River mouth, cooled by onshore lake wind, with a walkable boardwalk.

58% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 4.2 µg/m³ here vs 9.9 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 4.2/22 × 7 = 1.3 here; 9.9/22 × 7 = 3.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

5.7 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Milwaukee right now

58% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Jenison monitor.

Directions
Lion's Head
Cel-shaded illustration of Lion's Head
AQI 0
#18Lion's HeadChecking road route

Ontario· Good

Bruce Peninsula village on a limestone-cliff harbour, wrapped in open Georgian Bay air.

100% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 0 µg/m³ here vs 9.9 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0/22 × 7 = 0 here; 9.9/22 × 7 = 3.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

9.9 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Milwaukee right now

100% 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
Little Current (Manitoulin Island)
Cel-shaded illustration of Little Current (Manitoulin Island)
AQI 0
#19Little Current (Manitoulin Island)Checking road route

Ontario· Good

Manitoulin’s main harbour town, on the world’s largest freshwater island and surrounded by Huron’s North Channel.

100% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 0 µg/m³ here vs 9.9 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0/22 × 7 = 0 here; 9.9/22 × 7 = 3.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

9.9 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Milwaukee right now

100% 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
Tobermory
Cel-shaded illustration of Tobermory
AQI 2
#20TobermoryChecking road route

Ontario· Good

Harbour village at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula, wrapped in open Lake Huron and Georgian Bay water with steady onshore breezes.

97% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 0.3 µg/m³ here vs 9.9 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.3/22 × 7 = 0.1 here; 9.9/22 × 7 = 3.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

9.6 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Milwaukee right now

97% 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
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 qualityMadison air quality
Air quality in nearby cities →
Rockford air qualityChicago air qualityGrand Rapids air qualityPeoria air qualityFort Wayne air qualityToledo air qualityIndianapolis air qualityDetroit air qualityWindsor air qualitySault Ste. Marie air qualityDayton air qualityMinneapolis air quality

What this means · Milwaukee

Moderate

AQI 52

AQI = Air Quality Index

Typical person. Most people can stay active outside.

Kids, seniors, heart or lung conditions. Unusually sensitive people should consider shorter or easier outdoor effort.

The AQI on this page follows fine particles (PM2.5). Particles here are 9.9 µg/m³ (Elevated), 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 Elevated.

9.9 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.

3.1/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 9.9 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at this level: 9.9/22 × 7 = 3.1 cigarettes.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
See the full method →