An EPA air quality forecast tells you what the air quality is likely to be in the next 24 hours.
We use five categories in our forecasts:
- good
- fair
- poor
- very poor
- extremely poor.
You can use our air quality forecasts to help plan your day. For example, if the forecast is for poor air quality, you might choose not to exercise outside. This can reduce your exposure to air pollution and help protect your health.
We forecast air quality for the following population centres:
- Melbourne
- Geelong
- Latrobe Valley.
During bushfire season we forecast air quality for the following fire regions:
- Mallee
- Wimmera
- Northern Country
- North East
- East Gippsland
- West and South Gippsland
- Central
- North Central
- South West
These forecasts are on our website from 5pm each day. We may update the forecast more regularly if conditions change expectantly.
We use a large amount of information to produce our forecasts, including:
- data from our air monitoring network
- satellite images
- weather forecasts and reports
- media reports
- a forecasting model
- updates about any fires or incidents causing smoke.
Read more about monitoring and forecasting air pollution
Calculating air quality categories
People sensitive to air pollution
Reviewed 16 March 2021
