Bad-air day near Wisconsin

Breathing here shouldn't cost you a pack a day.

See what the smoke in Milwaukee is really doing to your lungs, then find cleaner air within a drive you choose.

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Milwaukee (you are here) Low smoke Some particle pollution Unhealthy (sensitive) Unhealthy+ Nearby model sample

Springfield

#1

Checking road routeIllinoisLow smoke/ PM2.5 4.3 µg/m³

PM2.5 is 4.3 µg/m³ here vs 23.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.12 h out ≈ 4.3/22 × 0.5 = 0.1 here; 23.2/22 × 0.5 = 0.5 at home.A health-impact equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

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

81% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 18, 5:00 p.m. EDT

Illinois capital with extensive lodging northeast of St. Louis.

Cleveland

#2

Checking road routeOhioLow smoke/ PM2.5 4.9 µg/m³

PM2.5 is 4.9 µg/m³ here vs 23.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.12 h out ≈ 4.9/22 × 0.5 = 0.1 here; 23.2/22 × 0.5 = 0.5 at home.A health-impact equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

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

79% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 18, 5:00 p.m. EDT

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

Columbus

#3

Checking road routeOhioLow smoke/ PM2.5 5.7 µg/m³

PM2.5 is 5.7 µg/m³ here vs 23.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.12 h out ≈ 5.7/22 × 0.5 = 0.1 here; 23.2/22 × 0.5 = 0.5 at home.A health-impact equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

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

75% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 18, 5:00 p.m. EDT

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

St. Louis

#4

Checking road routeMissouriLow smoke/ PM2.5 7.2 µg/m³

PM2.5 is 7.2 µg/m³ here vs 23.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.12 h out ≈ 7.2/22 × 0.5 = 0.2 here; 23.2/22 × 0.5 = 0.5 at home.A health-impact equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

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

69% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 18, 5:00 p.m. EDT

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

Indianapolis

#5

Checking road routeIndianaLow smoke/ PM2.5 7.4 µg/m³

PM2.5 is 7.4 µg/m³ here vs 23.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.12 h out ≈ 7.4/22 × 0.5 = 0.2 here; 23.2/22 × 0.5 = 0.5 at home.A health-impact equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

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

68% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 18, 5:00 p.m. EDT

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

Cincinnati

#6

Checking road routeOhioLow smoke/ PM2.5 8.5 µg/m³

PM2.5 is 8.5 µg/m³ here vs 23.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.12 h out ≈ 8.5/22 × 0.5 = 0.2 here; 23.2/22 × 0.5 = 0.5 at home.A health-impact equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

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

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

Observed Jul 18, 5:00 p.m. EDT

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

Tobermory

#7

Checking road routeOntarioLow smoke/ PM2.5 9 µg/m³

PM2.5 is 9 µg/m³ here vs 23.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.12 h out ≈ 9/22 × 0.5 = 0.2 here; 23.2/22 × 0.5 = 0.5 at home.A health-impact equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

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

61% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 18, 5:00 p.m. EDT

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

London

#8

Checking road routeOntarioSome particle pollution/ PM2.5 9.7 µg/m³

PM2.5 is 9.7 µg/m³ here vs 23.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.12 h out ≈ 9.7/22 × 0.5 = 0.2 here; 23.2/22 × 0.5 = 0.5 at home.A health-impact equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

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

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

AQHI 2: Low risk (London station)

Observed Jul 18, 5:00 p.m. EDT

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

Port Stanley

#9

Checking road routeOntarioSome particle pollution/ PM2.5 9.7 µg/m³

PM2.5 is 9.7 µg/m³ here vs 23.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.12 h out ≈ 9.7/22 × 0.5 = 0.2 here; 23.2/22 × 0.5 = 0.5 at home.A health-impact equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

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

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

AQHI 3: Low risk (Port Stanley station)

Observed Jul 18, 5:00 p.m. EDT

Lake Erie fishing village turned beach town, with open-water air on the province’s south shore.

Rochester

#10

Checking road routeMinnesotaSome particle pollution/ PM2.5 10.5 µg/m³

PM2.5 is 10.5 µg/m³ here vs 23.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.12 h out ≈ 10.5/22 × 0.5 = 0.2 here; 23.2/22 × 0.5 = 0.5 at home.A health-impact equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

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

55% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 18, 5:00 p.m. EDT

Southern Minnesota city with a large hotel inventory and a separate live air-quality reading from Minneapolis.

Little Current (Manitoulin Island)

#11

Checking road routeOntarioSome particle pollution/ PM2.5 10.7 µg/m³

PM2.5 is 10.7 µg/m³ here vs 23.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.12 h out ≈ 10.7/22 × 0.5 = 0.2 here; 23.2/22 × 0.5 = 0.5 at home.A health-impact equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

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

54% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 18, 5:00 p.m. EDT

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

Louisville

#12

Checking road routeKentuckySome particle pollution/ PM2.5 10.9 µg/m³

PM2.5 is 10.9 µg/m³ here vs 23.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.12 h out ≈ 10.9/22 × 0.5 = 0.2 here; 23.2/22 × 0.5 = 0.5 at home.A health-impact equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

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

53% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 18, 5:00 p.m. EDT

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

Detroit

#13

Checking road routeMichiganSome particle pollution/ PM2.5 11.5 µg/m³

PM2.5 is 11.5 µg/m³ here vs 23.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.12 h out ≈ 11.5/22 × 0.5 = 0.3 here; 23.2/22 × 0.5 = 0.5 at home.A health-impact equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

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

50% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

AQHI 3: Low risk (Windsor Downtown station)

Observed Jul 18, 5:00 p.m. EDT

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

Windsor

#14

Checking road routeOntarioSome particle pollution/ PM2.5 11.5 µg/m³

PM2.5 is 11.5 µg/m³ here vs 23.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.12 h out ≈ 11.5/22 × 0.5 = 0.3 here; 23.2/22 × 0.5 = 0.5 at home.A health-impact equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

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

50% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

AQHI 3: Low risk (Windsor Downtown station)

Observed Jul 18, 5:00 p.m. EDT

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

Sauble Beach

#15

Checking road routeOntarioSome particle pollution/ PM2.5 12.5 µg/m³

PM2.5 is 12.5 µg/m³ here vs 23.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.12 h out ≈ 12.5/22 × 0.5 = 0.3 here; 23.2/22 × 0.5 = 0.5 at home.A health-impact equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

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

46% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 18, 5:00 p.m. EDT

11 km of sandy Lake Huron shoreline where westerly lake winds usually keep the air moving.

Minneapolis

#16

Checking road routeMinnesotaSome particle pollution/ PM2.5 13.4 µg/m³

PM2.5 is 13.4 µg/m³ here vs 23.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.12 h out ≈ 13.4/22 × 0.5 = 0.3 here; 23.2/22 × 0.5 = 0.5 at home.A health-impact equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

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

42% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 18, 5:00 p.m. EDT

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

Port Elgin

#17

Checking road routeOntarioSome particle pollution/ PM2.5 17.1 µg/m³

PM2.5 is 17.1 µg/m³ here vs 23.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.12 h out ≈ 17.1/22 × 0.5 = 0.4 here; 23.2/22 × 0.5 = 0.5 at home.A health-impact equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

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

26% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

AQHI 11+: Very high risk (Tiverton station)

Observed Jul 18, 5:00 p.m. EDT

Sandy-beach base for the Saugeen Shores stretch of Lake Huron, with a full main street of services.

Kincardine

#18

Checking road routeOntarioSome particle pollution/ PM2.5 24.2 µg/m³

PM2.5 is 24.2 µg/m³ here vs 23.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.12 h out ≈ 24.2/22 × 0.5 = 0.5 here; 23.2/22 × 0.5 = 0.5 at home.A health-impact equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
4% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

AQHI 11+: Very high risk (Tiverton station)

Observed Jul 18, 5:00 p.m. EDT

Lake Huron harbour town with a lighthouse, boardwalk beach and reliable evening lake breezes.

Stratford

#19

Checking road routeOntarioSome particle pollution/ PM2.5 24.3 µg/m³

PM2.5 is 24.3 µg/m³ here vs 23.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.12 h out ≈ 24.3/22 × 0.5 = 0.6 here; 23.2/22 × 0.5 = 0.5 at home.A health-impact equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
5% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 18, 5:00 p.m. EDT

Festival town on the Avon River with a deep stock of inns and B&Bs.

Chicago

#20

Checking road routeIllinoisSome particle pollution/ PM2.5 24.4 µg/m³

PM2.5 is 24.4 µg/m³ here vs 23.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.12 h out ≈ 24.4/22 × 0.5 = 0.6 here; 23.2/22 × 0.5 = 0.5 at home.A health-impact equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
5% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 18, 5:00 p.m. EDT

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

23.2 µg/m³PM2.5 in Milwaukee right now
Some particle pollutionLatest observation Jul 18, 5:00 p.m. EDT

Build-time readings shown

Air quality · Milwaukee

Phew. Twelve hours out here is roughlyPM2.5 here is 23.2 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.12 h outside ≈ 23.2/22 × 0.5 = 0.5 cigarettes.A health-impact equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

That is the fine-particle pollution you'd breathe standing outside all day inMilwaukee right now, turned into a number your body already understands.

A health-impact equivalence, not literal smoking: Berkeley Earth puts a full day at 22 µg/m³ of PM2.5 at about one cigarette.How we work this out

Why live rankings?

Smoke plumes are patchy and move with changing winds, terrain and weather. Nearby lakefront, coastal and higher-elevation places can be much clearer than Milwaukee, but no direction is reliably cleaner. That is why this list is recalculated from live PM2.5 readings every hour instead of publishing a fixed escape route. If everything within three hours is smoky, the rankings will say so. Sometimes the honest answer is to stay inside with a filter running.

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