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Reno air right now

GoodAQI 28

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

28
AQI now
5
PM2.5 · µg/m³
1 cleaner spot 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.

South Lake Tahoe looks like the better move.80% cleaner air with a verified 1 h 25 min road trip. Rankings balance cleaner air with trip ease.

Every town is also available in the ranked list.
Reno Clean · PM2.5 0–5 Good · 5–9 Elevated · 9–15 Polluted · 15–35 Unhealthy · 35–55 Severe · 55+
Top pick
South Lake Tahoe
Cel-shaded illustration of South Lake Tahoe
AQI 6
#1South Lake Tahoe~1 h 25 min drive

California· Good

Alpine resort town on the south shore of Lake Tahoe above 6,200 feet, where mountain air and open water pair for a clear reset, with extensive lodging.

80% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 1 µg/m³ here vs 5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1/22 × 7 = 0.3 here; 5/22 × 7 = 1.6 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 Reno right now

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

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

PM2.5 from the CC_Armory monitor.

Directions
Susanville
Cel-shaded illustration of Susanville
AQI 11
#2SusanvilleChecking road route

California· Good

High-desert town near 4,200 feet at the edge of the Sierra and Great Basin, with a broad motel base.

60% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 2 µg/m³ here vs 5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 5/22 × 7 = 1.6 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 Reno right now

60% 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
Placerville
Cel-shaded illustration of Placerville
AQI 11
#3PlacervilleChecking road route

California· Good

Gold Country town on Highway 50 toward Tahoe, at higher elevation than the Sacramento Valley below.

60% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 2 µg/m³ here vs 5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 5/22 × 7 = 1.6 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 Reno right now

60% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Folsom monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Downieville
Cel-shaded illustration of Downieville
AQI 27
#4DownievilleChecking road route

California· Good

Remote Sierra canyon town near 3,000 feet on the Yuba River, a small mountain-town escape.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 4.9 µg/m³ here vs 5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 4.9/22 × 7 = 1.6 here; 5/22 × 7 = 1.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
2% 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
Still smoky
Grass Valley
Cel-shaded illustration of Grass Valley
AQI 28
#5Grass ValleyChecking road route

California· Good

Sierra foothill mining town beside Nevada City, with pine-forest air above the Central Valley floor.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 5 µg/m³ here vs 5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5/22 × 7 = 1.6 here; 5/22 × 7 = 1.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
0% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Colfax monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Nevada City
Cel-shaded illustration of Nevada City
AQI 28
#6Nevada City~1 h 45 min drive

California· Good

Gold Rush town in the Sierra foothills, set at higher elevation than the Central Valley, with restored inns and a walkable historic core.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 5 µg/m³ here vs 5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5/22 × 7 = 1.6 here; 5/22 × 7 = 1.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
0% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Colfax monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Truckee
Cel-shaded illustration of Truckee
AQI 31
#7Truckee~40 min drive

California· Good

High Sierra railroad town near Donner Pass above 5,800 feet, a cool mountain base with historic-district inns and nearby cabins.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 5.6 µg/m³ here vs 5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.6/22 × 7 = 1.8 here; 5/22 × 7 = 1.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
12% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Truckee BAM monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Markleeville
Cel-shaded illustration of Markleeville
AQI 41
#8MarkleevilleChecking road route

California· Good

Alpine County hamlet near 5,500 feet in the eastern Sierra, remote and thinly populated with cabins.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 7.4 µg/m³ here vs 5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 7.4/22 × 7 = 2.4 here; 5/22 × 7 = 1.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Reno

48% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the TRPA Office monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Incline Village
Cel-shaded illustration of Incline Village
AQI 50
#9Incline VillageChecking road route

Nevada· Good

Nevada-side Lake Tahoe town above 6,200 feet, where mountain air and open water pair for a clear reset.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 9 µg/m³ here vs 5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 9/22 × 7 = 2.9 here; 5/22 × 7 = 1.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Reno

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

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

PM2.5 from the Tahoe City monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Tahoe City
Cel-shaded illustration of Tahoe City
AQI 50
#10Tahoe City~1 h drive

California· Good

Lakeside village on Tahoe's quieter northwest shore, high in the Sierra with open-water air and a range of cabins and lodges.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 9 µg/m³ here vs 5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 9/22 × 7 = 2.9 here; 5/22 × 7 = 1.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Reno

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

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

PM2.5 from the Tahoe City monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Portola
Cel-shaded illustration of Portola
AQI 57
#11PortolaChecking road route

California· Moderate

Railroad town near 4,900 feet in the Sierra Valley, a quiet high-elevation base with cabins.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 12.3 µg/m³ here vs 5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 12.3/22 × 7 = 3.9 here; 5/22 × 7 = 1.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Reno

146% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Portola monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Graeagle
Cel-shaded illustration of Graeagle
AQI 57
#12GraeagleChecking road route

California· Moderate

Sierra Valley resort village near 4,500 feet, a golf-and-lake base with cool mountain-forest air.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 12.3 µg/m³ here vs 5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 12.3/22 × 7 = 3.9 here; 5/22 × 7 = 1.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Reno

146% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Portola monitor.

Directions
Sutter Creek
Cel-shaded illustration of Sutter Creek
AQI 6
#13Sutter CreekChecking road route

California· Good

Small Gold Country town on Highway 49, a walkable historic Main Street above the valley haze.

80% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 1 µg/m³ here vs 5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1/22 × 7 = 0.3 here; 5/22 × 7 = 1.6 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 Reno right now

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

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

PM2.5 from the San Andreas monitor.

Directions
Jackson
Cel-shaded illustration of Jackson
AQI 6
#14JacksonChecking road route

California· Good

Amador County Gold Rush town in the Sierra foothills, above the valley haze with historic inns.

80% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 1 µg/m³ here vs 5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1/22 × 7 = 0.3 here; 5/22 × 7 = 1.6 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 Reno right now

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

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

PM2.5 from the San Andreas monitor.

Directions
Murphys
Cel-shaded illustration of Murphys
AQI 6
#15MurphysChecking road route

California· Good

Calaveras County Gold Rush village with a wine-tasting Main Street, above the Central Valley haze.

80% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 1 µg/m³ here vs 5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1/22 × 7 = 0.3 here; 5/22 × 7 = 1.6 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 Reno right now

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

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

PM2.5 from the San Andreas monitor.

Directions
Sonora
Cel-shaded illustration of Sonora
AQI 6
#16SonoraChecking road route

California· Good

Gold Rush county seat in the Sierra foothills, set higher than the Central Valley with a historic Main Street.

80% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 1 µg/m³ here vs 5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1/22 × 7 = 0.3 here; 5/22 × 7 = 1.6 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 Reno right now

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

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

PM2.5 from the San Andreas monitor.

Directions
Chester
Cel-shaded illustration of Chester
AQI 10
#17ChesterChecking road route

California· Good

Lake Almanor resort town near 4,500 feet in the northern Sierra, an open-water mountain escape.

64% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 1.8 µg/m³ here vs 5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.8/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 5/22 × 7 = 1.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.2 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Reno right now

64% 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
Willits
Cel-shaded illustration of Willits
AQI 4
#18WillitsChecking road route

California· Good

Mendocino County valley town on Highway 101, higher and cooler than the coast with motels.

86% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 0.7 µg/m³ here vs 5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.7/22 × 7 = 0.2 here; 5/22 × 7 = 1.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

4.3 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Reno right now

86% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Willits Blosser Lane monitor.

Directions
Fort Bragg
Cel-shaded illustration of Fort Bragg
AQI 4
#19Fort Bragg~6 h 30 min drive

California· Good

Working coastal town on the Mendocino shoreline, swept by open Pacific wind, with motels and rentals just off the water.

86% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 0.7 µg/m³ here vs 5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.7/22 × 7 = 0.2 here; 5/22 × 7 = 1.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

4.3 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Reno right now

86% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Willits Blosser Lane monitor.

Directions
Mendocino
Cel-shaded illustration of Mendocino
AQI 4
#20Mendocino~6 h 35 min drive

California· Good

Clifftop village on the wild Mendocino Coast, wrapped in cool onshore ocean air, with historic inns and B&Bs.

86% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 0.7 µg/m³ here vs 5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.7/22 × 7 = 0.2 here; 5/22 × 7 = 1.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

4.3 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Reno right now

86% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Willits Blosser Lane monitor.

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 Nevada →
Henderson air qualityLas Vegas air quality
Air quality in nearby cities →
Chico air qualitySacramento air qualityStockton air qualityModesto air qualityRedding air qualitySan Francisco air qualitySan Jose air qualityFresno air qualityMedford air qualityBakersfield air qualityBend air qualityBoise air quality

What this means · Reno

Good

AQI 28

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 5 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.

5 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.

1.6/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 5 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at this level: 5/22 × 7 = 1.6 cigarettes.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
See the full method →