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Scale of threat levels

for South Central and Southeast Wisconsin
Air Quality Threat
Hazard Map Threat Levels Safety & Impact

Air Quality Threat Level

Threat Level Descriptions

Warning

"Air Quality Warning in effect"

An Air Quality Warning is issued when pollutant levels are at or expected to reach the "very unhealthy" or "hazardous" category of the Air Quality Index (AQI). At these levels...the health of most individuals will be adversely affected. If a Watch, Advisory or Warning is in effect...look here for details

Advisory

"Air Quality Advisory in effect"

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will issue an Air Quality Advisory when pollutant levels are at or expected to reach the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" category (orange) of the Air Quality Index (AQI). The advisory message is silent on the driving pollutant and instead focuses on the geographic coverage and duration of the advisory and health messages. Only one advisory is issued, unless the geographic extent of the advisory significantly changes. If a Watch, Advisory or Warning is in effect...look here for details

Watch

"Air Quality Watch in effect"

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will issue an Air Quality Watch when pollutant levels are forecast to reach the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" category (orange) of the Air Quality Index (AQI). A watch is issued by noon the day before these levels are expected. The watch message addresses the pollutant of concern, the geographic coverage, duration of the watch, health messages and actions to take. An Air Quality Watch is the trigger for any voluntary action programs that local partner groups want to announce. If a Watch, Advisory or Warning is in effect...look here for details
Non-Threatening
"No Air Quality Watches/Advisories/Warnings in effect"

Environmental conditions do not support the occurrence of poor air quality
Note: :

AQ Descriptions

Air Quality Index... http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=static.aqi
Statewide Air Quality-WI... http://maps.dnr.state.wi.us/imf/dnrimf.jsp?site=wisards

Air Quality Index (AQI) Values:
0 to 50 Good Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
51 to 100 Moderate Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people. For example, people who are unusually sensitive to ozone may experience respiratory symptoms.
101 to 150 Unhealthy for sensitive groups Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. This means they are likely to be affected at lower levels than the general public. For example, people with lung disease are at greater risk from exposure to ozone, while people with either lung disease or heart disease are at greater risk from exposure to particle pollution. The general public is not likely to be affected when the AQI is in this range.
151 to 200 Unhealthy Everyone may begin to experience health effects. Members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
201 to 300 Very Unhealthy Everyone may experience more serious health effects.
301 to 500 Hazardous Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.

  • National Weather Service
  • Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI Weather Forecast Office
  • N3533 Hardscrabble Road
  • Dousman, WI 53118
  • 262-965-2074
  • Page Author: MKX Webmaster
  • Web Master's E-mail: w-mkx.webmaster@noaa.gov
  • Page last modified: 15-Jun-2006 1:23 PM UTC
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