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State of Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

Air Quality Forecast

Monday, May 18, 2026
Ozone AQI Rating Fine Particles AQI Rating
Western 80 Moderate Western 28 Good
Providence 88 Moderate Providence 44 Good
Coastal 74 Moderate Coastal 30 Good
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Ozone AQI Rating Fine Particles AQI Rating
Western 112 UNHEALTHY Western 52 Moderate
Providence 119 UNHEALTHY Providence 64 Moderate
Coastal 105 UNHEALTHY Coastal 52 Moderate
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Ozone AQI Rating Fine Particles AQI Rating
Western 92 Moderate Western 58 Moderate
Providence 98 Moderate Providence 68 Moderate
Coastal 90 Moderate Coastal 54 Moderate

Forecast Discussion

Monday May 18, 2026 | Updated 10:30 AM

Ozone expected MODERATE statewide for Monday. An Air Quality Alert is being issued statewide for Tuesday, May 19th. Nearly full sunshine and favorable WSW flows will allow ozone levels to reach UNHEALTHY during the afternoon/evening hours. High temps to near 90F inland, cooler coastal. Fine particles expected MODERATE. Ozone remains elevated on Wednesday (upper MODERATE), fine particles MODERATE, with temps again 90s inland, cooler coastal. A chance of isolated shower/thunder late, especially inland with a bit of clouds. A noticable drop off Thursday with a frontal pass, with winds shifting north, highs back to the 70s, and GOOD air quality. 

Air Quality Forecast Regions

western
providence
coastal

Air Quality Index (AQI)

Rating Index Cautionary Statements
Good 0-50 Air quality is considered satisfactory and air pollution poses little or no risk.
Moderate 51-100 Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups 101-150 Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected.
Unhealthy 151-200 Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
Very Unhealthy 201-300 Health Alert: Everyone may experience more serious health effects.
Hazardous 301 and higher Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.

Interested in More Information?

Learn About Ozone Learn About Fine Particles Recess Guidance for Schools Wildfire Smoke Guidance
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Additional Resources

For further information, contact:

Darren Austin at (401) 537-4404
Joseph Poccia at (401) 537-4385