Worst air pollution Lake Charles, today and tomorrow
Today (9 August): Air quality in Lake Charles is fair. AQI and O3 are fair; PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 6:00 AM (O3: 23.3/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Lake Charles is fair. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 6:00 AM (O3: 24.8/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
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Lake Charles' air quality reflects its position in the Southwest Louisiana petrochemical corridor, with one of the US's highest concentrations of oil refineries, LNG export terminals, and chemical plants along the Calcasieu Ship Channel generating elevated SO₂, benzene, and PM2.5 alongside vehicle traffic on I-10. Gulf of Mexico southerly breezes provide general ventilation, but the density of petrochemical operations in the Lake Charles industrial complex makes it one of Louisiana's most industrially impacted cities, particularly under calm northerly wind conditions that concentrate refinery plumes over the residential areas.
Today - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 06:00
AQI:
Fair
23.3/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
16.1/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
14.7/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
0.1/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
23.3/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
0.8/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
0.9/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
3.9/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 06:00
AQI:
Fair
24.8/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
11.6/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
12.4/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
0.1/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
24.8/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
0.8/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
0.8/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
3.9/100
Pollen forecast in Lake Charles
View pollen forecastFrequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Lake Charles right now?
On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Lake Charles is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 23.3/100. Pollution peaks around 6:00 AM (O3: 23.3/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Lake Charles?
On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Lake Charles will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 24.8/100. Pollution peaks around 6:00 AM (O3: 24.8/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Lake Charles?
Air quality across Lake Charles rises and falls with the seasons, as the mildest, cleanest weather typically arrives in winter; by contrast, extended summer heat and humidity, along with local industry, keep ozone elevated for months. Hurricane season can occasionally disrupt normal pollution patterns, for better or worse depending on the storm.
Are air quality levels in Lake Charles based on measurements or forecasts?
It is forecasts derived by downscaling forecasts provided by EU’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) by taking into account local conditions such as traffic patterns. CAMS bases its forecast on satellite measurements of particles and chemical compounds in the atmosphere. Airmine’s services were developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team.
Why doesn’t the forecast always reflect wildfire impacts?
Airmine’s forecast uses CAMS (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service) as its background atmospheric model. While CAMS includes wildfire emissions, these are derived from satellite observations and are not available in real time. During rapidly evolving wildfire events, there may therefore be a delay before increased emissions are incorporated into the model. As a result, the forecast may temporarily underestimate PM₂.₅ and other pollutants associated with wildfire smoke.
During rapidly evolving wildfire events, CAMS may lag by approximately 1–2 days before increased wildfire emissions are fully represented, which can lead to temporary underestimation of PM₂.₅ concentrations in Airmine’s forecast.
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Data provided by Airmine — Last update: 9 August 2026 at 20:27 CEST (Data is updated four times daily.)
This forecast is produced independently using Airmine's own atmospheric data and models.
Unless explicitly made clear, the content on this site has not been paid for by external organisations and is Airmine's sole responsibility.
Disclaimer: Forecasts are provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice. Actual pollen and air quality conditions may vary from the forecast. If you have allergies, asthma, or another medical condition, consult a healthcare professional. Please see our Terms of Service for important information about limitations of liability.
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