United States: air pollution news and guides
What is happening to the air in United States, explained with live readings from official monitors. See United States's live AQI →
Guides · 18 OctHow to improve indoor air quality at home, and when to open the windowsHow to improve indoor air quality at home: cut the sources, ventilate when the outdoor AQI is low and filter the rest. Plus when to open the windows.- NewsNor'easter hits the Outer Banks: Hatteras visitors ordered out, NC 12 expected to close, 2 to 4 feet of floodingA nor'easter brings 50 mph gusts, waves to 14 feet and 2 to 4 feet of flooding to the Outer Banks from 17 October. Who must leave, NC 12 and the worst tides.
- NewsTyphoon Champi: typhoon warning for Guam as a Category 2 storm heads for a near-direct hit on SundayTyphoon Champi is forecast to pass just south of Guam early Sunday 18 October as a Category 3 typhoon. Warnings, COR 1, rain, surge and shelters.
- NewsSanta Ana winds: Norte Fire forces 16,000 from homes as red flag warnings, heat and power shutoffs run through SaturdaySanta Ana winds in October 2026: the Norte Fire, 70,000 customers without power, red flag warnings and 95°F heat in Southern California until 17 October.
- ExplainersFirst freeze of the season: what a freeze warning, freeze watch and frost advisory mean this weekendFreeze warning vs frost advisory: what each NWS alert means, where the first freeze hits the Plains and Midwest on 16 and 17 October, and how to protect plants.
- ExplainersEl Niño 2026 could be the strongest on record: what it means for this winter's weatherEl Nino is heading for a strong to very strong peak this winter 2026-27, possibly the strongest since 1950. What it means for rain, heat and haze worldwide.
- GuidesWildfire smoke: how to protect yourself, your home and your familyHow to read the AQI during wildfire smoke, which masks work, how to make a clean room at home, and when to keep kids and pets inside.
