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Ottawa air right now

Low riskAQHI 3

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

3
AQHI now
4
PM2.5 · µg/m³
4 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.

Perth looks like the better move.78% cleaner air with a verified 1 h 15 min road trip. Rankings balance cleaner air with trip ease.

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

Ontario· Good

Rideau Canal village of locks, galleries and B&Bs less than an hour from Ottawa.

78% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 0.9 µg/m³ here vs 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.9/22 × 7 = 0.3 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.1 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Ottawa right now

78% 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
Perth
Cel-shaded illustration of Perth
AQI 5
#2Perth~1 h 15 min drive

Ontario· Good

Stone-built heritage town on the Tay River, a calm base in the Rideau corridor.

78% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 0.9 µg/m³ here vs 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.9/22 × 7 = 0.3 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.1 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Ottawa right now

78% 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
Westport
Cel-shaded illustration of Westport
AQI 5
#3Westport~1 h 45 min drive

Ontario· Good

Village on Upper Rideau Lake in the hills of Rideau Lakes country, small but well-supplied with inns.

78% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 0.9 µg/m³ here vs 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.9/22 × 7 = 0.3 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.1 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Ottawa right now

78% 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
Pembroke
Cel-shaded illustration of Pembroke
AQI 5
#4Pembroke~2 h drive

Ontario· Good

Ottawa Valley hub on the wide Ottawa River, the jumping-off point for Whitewater country.

78% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 0.9 µg/m³ here vs 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.9/22 × 7 = 0.3 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.1 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Ottawa right now

78% 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
Calabogie
Cel-shaded illustration of Calabogie
AQI 6
#5Calabogie~1 h 20 min drive

Ontario· Good

Lake-and-highlands resort area in the Madawaska Valley with a four-season lodge scene.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1.1 µg/m³ here vs 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.1/22 × 7 = 0.4 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 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 Ottawa right now

73% 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
Brockville
Cel-shaded illustration of Brockville
AQI 6
#6BrockvilleChecking road route

Ontario· Good

St. Lawrence River city at the edge of the Thousand Islands, with river-air exposure and hotels.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1.1 µg/m³ here vs 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.1/22 × 7 = 0.4 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 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 Ottawa 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
Still smoky
Montebello
Cel-shaded illustration of Montebello
AQI 7
#7MontebelloChecking road route

Quebec· Good

Ottawa Valley village beside the Ottawa River, home to a grand historic log-château resort.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1.3 µg/m³ here vs 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.3/22 × 7 = 0.4 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

2.7 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Ottawa right now

68% 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
Still smoky
Mont-Tremblant
Cel-shaded illustration of Mont-Tremblant
AQI 19
#8Mont-TremblantChecking road route

Quebec· Good

Laurentians resort village beneath the tallest peak in the range, with cool mountain air and a large lodge base.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 3.4 µg/m³ here vs 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3.4/22 × 7 = 1.1 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
15% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Saint-Faustin-Lac-Carr� monitor. No AQHI station is close enough.

Directions
Still smoky
Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts
Cel-shaded illustration of Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts
AQI 19
#9Sainte-Agathe-des-MontsChecking road route

Quebec· Good

Laurentians lake town on Lac des Sables, with open-water mountain air and a walkable lakeside strip.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 3.4 µg/m³ here vs 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3.4/22 × 7 = 1.1 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
15% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Saint-Faustin-Lac-Carr� monitor. No AQHI station is close enough.

Directions
Still smoky
Wakefield
Cel-shaded illustration of Wakefield
AQHI 3
#10WakefieldChecking road route

Quebec· Low risk

Gatineau Hills village on the Gatineau River, a countryside escape a short drive from Ottawa.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 4.1 µg/m³ here vs 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 4.1/22 × 7 = 1.3 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
2% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

AQHI 3: Low risk (Ottawa station)

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

AQHI from the Ottawa station. PM2.5 from the Parc de la Gatineau - La P�che monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Ogdensburg
Cel-shaded illustration of Ogdensburg
AQI unavailable
#11OgdensburgChecking road route

New York

New York 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
Massena
Cel-shaded illustration of Massena
AQI unavailable
#12MassenaChecking road route

New York

New York 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
Gananoque
Cel-shaded illustration of Gananoque
AQI 11
#13Gananoque~2 h drive

Ontario· Good

Gateway to the Thousand Islands, with river breezes off the St. Lawrence and island cruises at the dock.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 2 µg/m³ here vs 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 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 2: Low risk (Kingston station)

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

AQHI from the Kingston station. PM2.5 from the Kingston monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Laval
Cel-shaded illustration of Laval
AQI 11
#14LavalChecking road route

Quebec· Good

A major Quebec 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 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 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

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

PM2.5 from the Caserne 17 monitor. No AQHI station is close enough.

Directions
Still smoky
Kingston
Cel-shaded illustration of Kingston
AQHI 2
#15Kingston~2 h 25 min drive

Ontario· Low risk

A major Ontario 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 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 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 2: Low risk (Kingston station)

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

AQHI from the Kingston station. PM2.5 from the Kingston monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Belleville
Cel-shaded illustration of Belleville
AQHI 2
#16BellevilleChecking road route

Ontario· Low risk

A major Ontario 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 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 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 2: Low risk (Belleville station)

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

AQHI from the Belleville station. PM2.5 from the Belleville monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Montréal
Cel-shaded illustration of Montréal
AQI 15
#17Montréal~2 h 30 min drive

Quebec· Good

A major Quebec 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 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.7/22 × 7 = 0.9 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
32% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the St-Dominique monitor. No AQHI station is close enough.

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 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0/22 × 7 = 0 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 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 Ottawa 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
Killarney
Cel-shaded illustration of Killarney
AQI 0
#19Killarney~8 h 10 min drive

Ontario· Good

Remote village beside Killarney Park’s white quartzite ridges, on the north channel of Georgian Bay.

100% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 0 µg/m³ here vs 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0/22 × 7 = 0 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 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 Ottawa 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
Little Current (Manitoulin Island)
Cel-shaded illustration of Little Current (Manitoulin Island)
AQI 0
#20Little Current (Manitoulin Island)~8 h 40 min drive

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 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0/22 × 7 = 0 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 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 Ottawa 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
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 3: Low risk (Ottawa)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 Ontario →
Barrie air qualityBelleville air qualityBrampton air qualityBrantford air qualityGreater Sudbury air qualityGuelph air qualityHamilton air qualityKingston air qualityKitchener-Waterloo air qualityLondon air qualityMarkham air qualityMississauga air qualityNorth Bay air qualityOshawa air qualityPeterborough air qualitySault Ste. Marie air qualitySt. Catharines air qualityThunder Bay air qualityToronto air qualityVaughan air qualityWindsor air quality
Air quality in nearby cities →
Laval air qualityMontréal air qualityTrois-Rivières air qualitySyracuse air qualityRochester air qualitySherbrooke air qualityAlbany air qualityQuébec City air qualityBuffalo air qualitySpringfield air qualityScranton air qualityWorcester air quality

What this means · Ottawa

Low risk

AQHI 3

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 4 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.

4 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.

1.3/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 4 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at this level: 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 cigarettes.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
See the full method →