ToClearSkies
🔥 See current wildfires →
Nanaimo air right now

Low riskAQHI 1

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

1
AQHI now
3
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.

No verified road trips found within 3 hours.Try widening the range. We do not show crow-flight guesses.

Every town is also available in the ranked list.
Nanaimo Clean · PM2.5 0–5 Good · 5–9 Elevated · 9–15 Polluted · 15–35 Unhealthy · 35–55 Severe · 55+
Top pick
Qualicum Beach
Cel-shaded illustration of Qualicum Beach
AQI 0
#1Qualicum BeachChecking road route

British Columbia· Good

Vancouver Island shoreline town beside Parksville, wrapped in steady Strait of Georgia sea air.

100% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 0 µg/m³ here vs 3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0/22 × 7 = 0 here; 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Nanaimo right now

100% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Port Alberni Elementary monitor. No AQHI station is close enough.

Directions
Ganges (Salt Spring Island)
Cel-shaded illustration of Ganges (Salt Spring Island)
AQHI 1
#2Ganges (Salt Spring Island)Checking road route

British Columbia· Low risk

Main village of the Gulf Islands' largest island, in the rain shadow with cool marine air.

100% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 0 µg/m³ here vs 3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0/22 × 7 = 0 here; 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Nanaimo right now

100% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

AQHI 1: Low risk (Duncan station)

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

AQHI from the Duncan station. PM2.5 from the Crofton Substation monitor.

Directions
Port Alberni
Cel-shaded illustration of Port Alberni
AQI 0
#3Port AlberniChecking road route

British Columbia· Good

Vancouver Island inlet town midway between Nanaimo and Tofino, with fjord-air exposure.

100% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 0 µg/m³ here vs 3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0/22 × 7 = 0 here; 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Nanaimo right now

100% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Port Alberni Elementary monitor. No AQHI station is close enough.

Directions
Still smoky
Orcas Island
Cel-shaded illustration of Orcas Island
AQI 6
#4Orcas IslandChecking road route

Washington· Good

Largest San Juan Island, in the Olympics' rain shadow with cool marine air and small inns.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1 µg/m³ here vs 3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1/22 × 7 = 0.3 here; 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
67% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Saturna monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Lopez Island
Cel-shaded illustration of Lopez Island
AQI 6
#5Lopez IslandChecking road route

Washington· Good

Flattest and quietest of the San Juan Islands, wrapped in the rain shadow's cool marine air.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1 µg/m³ here vs 3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1/22 × 7 = 0.3 here; 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
67% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

AQHI 2: Low risk (Victoria / Saanich station)

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

AQHI from the Victoria / Saanich station. PM2.5 from the Anacortes-202 Ave (SO-AQS) monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Anacortes
Cel-shaded illustration of Anacortes
AQI 6
#6AnacortesChecking road route

Washington· Good

Ferry gateway to the San Juan Islands, wrapped in Puget Sound marine air, with waterfront hotels.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1 µg/m³ here vs 3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1/22 × 7 = 0.3 here; 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
67% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Anacortes-202 Ave (SO-AQS) monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Bellingham
Cel-shaded illustration of Bellingham
AQI 11
#7BellinghamChecking road route

Washington· Good

A major Washington 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 µg/m³ here vs 3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
33% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

AQHI 1: Low risk (Central Fraser Valley station)

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

AQHI from the Central Fraser Valley station. PM2.5 from the Custer-Loomis (SO-AQS) monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Whistler
Cel-shaded illustration of Whistler
AQHI 2
#8WhistlerChecking road route

British Columbia· Low risk

Coast Mountains resort near 2,200 feet north of Vancouver, with cool alpine air and a huge lodging base.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 2 µg/m³ here vs 3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
33% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

AQHI 2: Low risk (Whistler station)

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

AQHI from the Whistler station. PM2.5 from the Whistler Meadow Park monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Richmond
Cel-shaded illustration of Richmond
AQHI 1
#9RichmondChecking road route

British Columbia· Low risk

A major British Columbia 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 2.7 µg/m³ here vs 3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.7/22 × 7 = 0.9 here; 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
10% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

AQHI 1: Low risk (Metro Vancouver - SW station)

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

AQHI from the Metro Vancouver - SW station. PM2.5 from the Vancouver Airport monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Burnaby
Cel-shaded illustration of Burnaby
AQHI 1
#10BurnabyChecking road route

British Columbia· Low risk

A major British Columbia 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 2.7 µg/m³ here vs 3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.7/22 × 7 = 0.9 here; 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
10% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

AQHI 1: Low risk (Metro Vancouver - NW station)

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

AQHI from the Metro Vancouver - NW station. PM2.5 from the Kensington Park monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Comox
Cel-shaded illustration of Comox
AQHI 1
#11ComoxChecking road route

British Columbia· Low risk

Vancouver Island harbour town facing the Strait of Georgia, wrapped in steady marine air.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 2.9 µg/m³ here vs 3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.9/22 × 7 = 0.9 here; 3/22 × 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

AQHI 1: Low risk (Comox Valley station)

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

AQHI from the Comox Valley station. PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Courtenay
Cel-shaded illustration of Courtenay
AQHI 1
#12CourtenayChecking road route

British Columbia· Low risk

Comox Valley city between mountains and the strait, with a broad hotel base and marine-tempered air.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 2.9 µg/m³ here vs 3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.9/22 × 7 = 0.9 here; 3/22 × 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

AQHI 1: Low risk (Comox Valley station)

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

AQHI from the Comox Valley station. PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Langley
Cel-shaded illustration of Langley
AQI 6
#13LangleyChecking road route

Washington· Good

Bluff-top village on Whidbey Island, cooled by Puget Sound marine air, with a walkable inn-lined main street.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1.1 µg/m³ here vs 3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.1/22 × 7 = 0.4 here; 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
63% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Tulalip-36th Ave NW monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Harrison Hot Springs
Cel-shaded illustration of Harrison Hot Springs
AQHI 1
#14Harrison Hot SpringsChecking road route

British Columbia· Low risk

Lakeside spa village at the foot of the Coast Mountains, with open-water air east of Vancouver.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1.5 µg/m³ here vs 3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.5/22 × 7 = 0.5 here; 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
50% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

AQHI 1: Low risk (Eastern Fraser Valley station)

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

AQHI from the Eastern Fraser Valley station. PM2.5 from the Agassiz - Centennial Park monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Chilliwack
Cel-shaded illustration of Chilliwack
AQHI 1
#15ChilliwackChecking road route

British Columbia· Low risk

A major British Columbia 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 1.8 µg/m³ here vs 3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.8/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
40% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

AQHI 1: Low risk (Eastern Fraser Valley station)

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

AQHI from the Eastern Fraser Valley station. PM2.5 from the Chilliwack monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
La Conner
Cel-shaded illustration of La Conner
AQI 11
#16La ConnerChecking road route

Washington· Good

Skagit Valley waterfront village on the Swinomish Channel, wrapped in tidal marine air, with inns.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 2 µg/m³ here vs 3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
33% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Anacortes-Bartholomew Rd (US) monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Pemberton
Cel-shaded illustration of Pemberton
AQHI 2
#17PembertonChecking road route

British Columbia· Low risk

Farming valley town north of Whistler, ringed by glaciated peaks with cool mountain-valley air.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 2 µg/m³ here vs 3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
33% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

AQHI 2: Low risk (Whistler station)

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

AQHI from the Whistler station. PM2.5 from the Whistler Meadow Park monitor.

Directions
Vanderhoof
Cel-shaded illustration of Vanderhoof
AQI 0
#18VanderhoofChecking road route

British Columbia· Good

British Columbia community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

100% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 0 µg/m³ here vs 3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0/22 × 7 = 0 here; 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Nanaimo right now

100% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 4:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Vanderhoof Courthouse monitor. No AQHI station is close enough.

Directions
Still smoky
Olympia
Cel-shaded illustration of Olympia
AQI 3
#19OlympiaChecking road route

Washington· Good

A major Washington 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 0.6 µg/m³ here vs 3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.6/22 × 7 = 0.2 here; 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

2.4 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Nanaimo right now

80% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Lacey-College St monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Fort St. James
Cel-shaded illustration of Fort St. James
AQI 4
#20Fort St. JamesChecking road route

British Columbia· Good

British Columbia community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 0.8 µg/m³ here vs 3 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.8/22 × 7 = 0.3 here; 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

2.2 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Nanaimo right now

73% 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.

AQHI 1: Low risk (Nanaimo / Parksville)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 British Columbia →
Abbotsford air qualityBurnaby air qualityChilliwack air qualityKamloops air qualityKelowna air qualityPrince George air qualityRichmond air qualitySurrey air qualityVancouver air qualityVictoria air quality
Air quality in nearby cities →
Bellingham air qualitySeattle air qualityTacoma air qualityOlympia air qualityYakima air qualityPortland air qualitySalem air qualitySpokane air qualityEugene air qualityBend air qualityCalgary air qualityMedford air quality

What this means · Nanaimo

Low risk

AQHI 1

AQHI = Air Quality Health Index

Typical person. Ideal air for usual outdoor plans.

Kids, seniors, heart or lung conditions. People with heart or lung conditions can usually keep their normal outdoor routine.

Particles here are 3 µg/m³ (Clean).

Act two · Fine particles only

Where PM2.5 lands

This bar is smoke and fine particles (PM2.5) only — not the full AQHI mix. Left is cleaner air; right is heavier particle pollution. Today's particles sit in Clean.

3 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 AQHI.

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 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at this level: 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 cigarettes.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
See the full method →