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State of Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

Air Quality Forecast

Friday, July 17, 2026
Ozone AQI Rating Fine Particles AQI Rating
Western 48 Good Western 28 Good
Providence 47 Good Providence 42 Good
Coastal 49 Good Coastal 42 Good
Saturday, July 18, 2026
Ozone AQI Rating Fine Particles AQI Rating
Western 44 Good Western 115 UNHEALTHY
Providence 42 Good Providence 120 UNHEALTHY
Coastal 45 Good Coastal 120 UNHEALTHY
Sunday, July 19, 2026
Ozone AQI Rating Fine Particles AQI Rating
Western 48 Good Western 80 Moderate
Providence 46 Good Providence 90 Moderate
Coastal 48 Good Coastal 60 Moderate

Forecast Discussion

Friday, July 17, 2026 | Updated 10:00 AM

Get out and enjoy the blue skies Friday, as NW winds has pushed the plume south, with air quality GOOD until well after dark. Unfortunately, smoke pushes back in late tonight and into Saturday under SW winds. An AIR QUALITY ALERT is being issued for UNHEALTHY fine particles. Air quality should improve by early Sunday, dropping back to GOOD/low MODERATE. Keeping an eye on a return of the smoke very early on Monday. Forecasting MODERATE for the time being. Sunny Sunday, highs in the upper 70s, NW winds. High pressure and sunshine into Monday.

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