The highest AQ index in Arizona (as of 15:00 MST) is currently the Phoenix area. Ozone (OZONE) is measuring at 105 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups). This means members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected.
Over the next few days, the highest Ozone (OZONE) will be in the Phoenix area. It is forecasted to be Moderate, meaning air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
[View the ADEQ Hourly Forecast for Phoenix]
Pollution levels behaved as expected over the weekend. Ozone levels trended up from the upper Good range on Friday to the mid Moderate range by Sunday. As for PM10 and PM2.5, they stayed in the Good AQI category all weekend.
Looking ahead, the ridge is strengthening back over the region, which will allow ozone levels to continue increasing. We are forecasting ozone levels to hover around the upper Moderate range all week. Currently we are forecasting today to have the highest concentrations with mostly calm winds and minimal cloud cover. After today, we may have slightly better winds and some cloud cover, which may lower ozone levels a little bit.
Switching to particulates, we are looking at chances for thunderstorms around the state, which may cause outflows to impact the area. There will be chances each day, but right now we are looking at better chances later in the week. Overall, we are forecasting PM10 levels to stay in the Moderate AQI range through the week, with with concentrations on Thursday and Friday with better potential for strong thunderstorm outflows.
R. Nicoll
https://azdeq.gov/forecast/phoenix
Last Update: Monday, August 17, 2026, 9:08 AM
| Range | 0 - 50 | 51 - 100 | 101 - 150 | 151 - 200 | 201 - 300 | 301 - 500 |
| Color | ||||||
| Category | Good | Moderate | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | Unhealthy | Very Unhealthy | Hazardous |
Last Updated 14 minutes ago