Today's Texas Air Quality Forecast

Forecast Discussion

Light winds, warming temperatures, abundant afternoon sunshine, and building incoming background levels could be enough for ozone to possibly reach the lower end of the "Moderate" range in parts of the Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and Waco-Killeen areas and the upper end of the "Good" range (perhaps with an isolated low "Moderate" or two) in parts of the San Antonio area, with highest concentrations in the afternoon and early evening.

Slightly increased fine particulate background levels across portions of East Texas associated with residual smoke from seasonal fires in the Southeast U.S. could raise the daily PM2.5 AQI to the lower to middle end of the "Moderate" range in parts of the Beaumont-Port Arthur and Tyler-Longview areas.

Light winds and limited vertical mixing could allow fine particulate matter to build up over portions of far West Texas, possibly raising the daily PM2.5 and PM10 AQIs to the lower end of the "Moderate" range in parts of the El Paso area, with highest concentrations in the morning and evening.

Otherwise and elsewhere in the state, moderate winds, mild temperatures, and/or lower incoming background levels should help keep air quality in the "Good" range in most spots.

Light to moderate winds, warm temperatures, abundant afternoon sunshine, and/or elevated incoming background levels could be enough for ozone to reach the lower to middle end of the "Moderate" range in parts of the Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston areas; possibly the lower end of the "Moderate" range in parts of the Austin and Waco-Killeen areas; and the upper end of the "Good" range (perhaps with an isolated low "Moderate" or two) in parts of the Beaumont-Port Arthur area, with highest concentrations in the afternoon and early evening.

Slightly increased fine particulate background levels associated with residual smoke from seasonal fires in the Southeast U.S. could continue across portions of East Texas while expanding into Southeast and North Central Texas. Overall, depending on the coverage and intensity of the light smoke, the daily PM2.5 AQI is forecast to reach the middle to upper end of the "Moderate" range in parts of the Tyler-Longview area; the lower to middle end of the "Moderate" range in parts of the Beaumont-Port Arthur area; and the upper end of the "Good" range (perhaps with an isolated low "Moderate" or two) in parts of the Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and Waco-Killeen areas.

Light winds and limited vertical mixing could allow fine particulate matter to build up over portions of far West Texas, possibly raising the daily PM2.5 and PM10 AQIs to the lower end of the "Moderate" range in parts of the El Paso area, with highest concentrations in the morning and evening.

Elsewhere in the state, moderate winds, mild temperatures, and/or lower incoming background levels should help keep air quality in the "Good" range in most spots.

Lingering light residual smoke associated with seasonal fires across the Southeast U.S. may persist over portions of East Texas, possibly raising the daily PM2.5 AQI to the middle to upper end of the "Moderate" range in parts of the Tyler-Longview area and the upper end of the "Good" range (perhaps with an isolated low "Moderate" or two) in parts of the Beaumont-Port Arthur area.

Otherwise and elsewhere in the state, moderate to strong winds, cold temperatures, increased cloud cover with precipitation, and/or lower incoming background levels associated with an advancing cold front should help keep air quality in the "Good" range in most spots.

Lingering light residual smoke associated with seasonal fires across the Southeast U.S. may persist over portions of East and Southeast Texas, possibly raising the daily PM2.5 AQI to the lower to middle end of the "Moderate" range in parts of the Beaumont-Port Arthur and Tyler-Longview areas and the upper end of the "Good" range (perhaps with an isolated low "Moderate" or two) in parts of the Houston area.

Otherwise and elsewhere in the state, moderate to strong winds, cool temperatures, lingering cloud cover, and/or lower incoming background levels associated with a departing cold front should help keep air quality in the "Good" range in most spots.

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This forecast was last updated at 10:40 AM on Tuesday, October 22nd, and is updated daily on normal TCEQ work days and may also be updated on weekends or holidays when air pollution levels are high. Regardless of our forecast, we always recommend that each individual determine what level of activity they should conduct based on the actual local conditions. See the "Related Current Data" links above to monitor the latest actual conditions.