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Worcester air right now

GoodAQI 14

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

14
AQI now
2.5
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.

You may already have the cleanest nearby air.No meaningfully cleaner place has a verified road route within 3 hours. Widen the range or show worse air for context.

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

Massachusetts· Good

A major Massachusetts 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 1.7 µg/m³ here vs 2.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.7/22 × 7 = 0.5 here; 2.5/22 × 7 = 0.8 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 Springfield monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Salem
Cel-shaded illustration of Salem
AQI 12
#2SalemChecking road route

Massachusetts· Good

Harbor city on Massachusetts Bay, with coastal air and a deep hotel base a short train ride from Boston.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 2.2 µg/m³ here vs 2.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.2/22 × 7 = 0.7 here; 2.5/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
12% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Lynn monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Gloucester
Cel-shaded illustration of Gloucester
AQI 12
#3GloucesterChecking road route

Massachusetts· Good

America's oldest fishing port on Cape Ann, wrapped in open-Atlantic air, with harborfront inns and motels.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 2.2 µg/m³ here vs 2.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.2/22 × 7 = 0.7 here; 2.5/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
12% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Lynn monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Rockport
Cel-shaded illustration of Rockport
AQI 12
#4Rockport~1 h 50 min drive

Massachusetts· Good

Granite harbor town on the tip of Cape Ann, surrounded by ocean with steady marine air and a walkable stock of inns.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 2.2 µg/m³ here vs 2.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.2/22 × 7 = 0.7 here; 2.5/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
12% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Lynn monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Stonington
Cel-shaded illustration of Stonington
AQI 13
#5StoningtonChecking road route

Connecticut· Good

Working fishing village on a Connecticut peninsula into Long Island Sound, wrapped in marine air, with inns.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 2.4 µg/m³ here vs 2.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.4/22 × 7 = 0.8 here; 2.5/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
4% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Groton monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Mystic
Cel-shaded illustration of Mystic
AQI 13
#6Mystic~1 h 35 min drive

Connecticut· Good

Seaport village on the tidal Mystic River near Long Island Sound, with harbor breezes and a walkable stock of inns.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 2.4 µg/m³ here vs 2.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.4/22 × 7 = 0.8 here; 2.5/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
4% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Groton monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Old Saybrook
Cel-shaded illustration of Old Saybrook
AQI 13
#7Old Saybrook~1 h 40 min drive

Connecticut· Good

Shoreline town where the Connecticut River meets Long Island Sound, with marina breezes and coastal lodging.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 2.4 µg/m³ here vs 2.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.4/22 × 7 = 0.8 here; 2.5/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
4% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Groton monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Niantic
Cel-shaded illustration of Niantic
AQI 13
#8NianticChecking road route

Connecticut· Good

Connecticut shoreline village on Long Island Sound, with a public beach and steady sea air, close to Mystic.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 2.4 µg/m³ here vs 2.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.4/22 × 7 = 0.8 here; 2.5/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
4% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Groton monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Watch Hill
Cel-shaded illustration of Watch Hill
AQI 13
#9Watch Hill~1 h 40 min drive

Rhode Island· Good

Genteel village on Rhode Island's southwestern point, wrapped by ocean beaches and Little Narragansett Bay with steady sea air.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 2.4 µg/m³ here vs 2.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.4/22 × 7 = 0.8 here; 2.5/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
4% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Groton monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Essex
Cel-shaded illustration of Essex
AQI 13
#10EssexChecking road route

Connecticut· Good

Historic Connecticut River town with a yacht-club waterfront, cooled by river and Sound air, with a compact inn scene.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 2.4 µg/m³ here vs 2.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.4/22 × 7 = 0.8 here; 2.5/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
4% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Groton monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Ipswich
Cel-shaded illustration of Ipswich
AQI 14
#11IpswichChecking road route

Massachusetts· Good

North Shore town with a long barrier beach and salt marsh, cooled by onshore ocean air, with inns and B&Bs.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 2.5 µg/m³ here vs 2.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.5/22 × 7 = 0.8 here; 2.5/22 × 7 = 0.8 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 Haverhill monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Madison
Cel-shaded illustration of Madison
AQI 16
#12Madison~1 h 55 min drive

Connecticut· Good

Connecticut shoreline town with a long Sound beach and a classic main street of inns, cooled by steady sea air.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 2.9 µg/m³ here vs 2.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.9/22 × 7 = 0.9 here; 2.5/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
16% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the New Haven monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Alton Bay
Cel-shaded illustration of Alton Bay
AQI 9
#13Alton BayChecking road route

New Hampshire· Good

Southern-bay village at the foot of Lake Winnipesaukee, a smaller, quieter lakefront base with cottages and motels.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1.6 µg/m³ here vs 2.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.6/22 × 7 = 0.5 here; 2.5/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
36% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Laconia Main St monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Laconia
Cel-shaded illustration of Laconia
AQI 9
#14LaconiaChecking road route

New Hampshire· Good

Lakes Region hub between Winnipesaukee and Winnisquam, with a broad range of motels and lake-air exposure.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1.6 µg/m³ here vs 2.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.6/22 × 7 = 0.5 here; 2.5/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
36% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Laconia Main St monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Wolfeboro
Cel-shaded illustration of Wolfeboro
AQI 9
#15WolfeboroChecking road route

New Hampshire· Good

Oldest summer resort on Lake Winnipesaukee's eastern shore, with open-lake breezes and a walkable dock-front village.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1.6 µg/m³ here vs 2.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.6/22 × 7 = 0.5 here; 2.5/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
36% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Laconia Main St monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Meredith
Cel-shaded illustration of Meredith
AQI 9
#16MeredithChecking road route

New Hampshire· Good

Lake Winnipesaukee harbor town with a marina-front main street, cooled by open-water air off New Hampshire's biggest lake.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1.6 µg/m³ here vs 2.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.6/22 × 7 = 0.5 here; 2.5/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
36% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Laconia Main St monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Waterville Valley
Cel-shaded illustration of Waterville Valley
AQI 10
#17Waterville ValleyChecking road route

New Hampshire· Good

Purpose-built resort valley ringed by White Mountain peaks, with condos, lodges and cool high-elevation air.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1.8 µg/m³ here vs 2.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.8/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 2.5/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
28% 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
Southwest Harbor
Cel-shaded illustration of Southwest Harbor
AQI 1
#18Southwest HarborChecking road route

Maine· Good

Quiet side of Mount Desert Island away from Bar Harbor's crowds, wrapped in the same cold Gulf of Maine air.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 0.2 µg/m³ here vs 2.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.2/22 × 7 = 0.1 here; 2.5/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

2.3 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Worcester right now

92% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Acadia NP - McFarland monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Bar Harbor
Cel-shaded illustration of Bar Harbor
AQI 1
#19Bar Harbor~6 h 5 min drive

Maine· Good

Island town at the gateway to Acadia, wrapped by the cold Gulf of Maine with steady sea air and abundant lodging.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 0.2 µg/m³ here vs 2.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.2/22 × 7 = 0.1 here; 2.5/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

2.3 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Worcester right now

92% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Acadia NP - McFarland monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Carleton North
Cel-shaded illustration of Carleton North
AQI 1
#20Carleton NorthChecking road route

New Brunswick· Good

New Brunswick community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 0.2 µg/m³ here vs 2.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.2/22 × 7 = 0.1 here; 2.5/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

2.3 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Worcester right now

92% 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.

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 Massachusetts →
Boston air qualitySpringfield air quality
Air quality in nearby cities →
Providence air qualityHartford air qualityAlbany air qualityNew York City air qualityScranton air qualitySherbrooke air qualityAllentown air qualitySyracuse air qualityPhiladelphia air qualityMontréal air qualityLaval air qualityKingston air quality

What this means · Worcester

Good

AQI 14

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 2.5 µg/m³ (Natural), 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 Natural.

2.5 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.

0.8/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 2.5 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at this level: 2.5/22 × 7 = 0.8 cigarettes.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
See the full method →