Live data feeds of current wind speed, wind direction and air quality. Follow the air quality category colours and use the activity guide to protect your health.
Updates
- Air quality across New South Wales may be affected by hazard reduction burning. See Fires Near Me and follow the recommended health advice.
- News: The NSW Government is developing a dedicated air quality website, that presents air quality data and information that is fit-for-purpose, easy-to-understand and works well on desktop and mobile devices.
We invite you to try our first release or find out more. - Live data is always reported in Standard Time (AEST).
Click on the wind rose and select the graph icon to view the chart for the last 7 days.
Explanation of the wind rose diagram
The map above shows hourly average data for all parameters, i.e., PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, NH3, wind speed and wind direction values. All readings are updated hourly. Note that the map shows hourly averages for PM10 and PM2.5, and not rolling 24-hour averages as was the case prior to February 2020.
The hourly values for pollutants are categorised into the following air quality ratings:
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| Air quality categories (AQC) | |||||
Air pollutant | Averaging period | Units | GOOD | FAIR | POOR | VERY POOR | EXTREMELY POOR |
Nitrogen dioxide | 1-hour | pphm | <8 | 8–12 | 12–18 | 18–24 | 24 and above |
Sulfur dioxide | 1-hour | pphm | <13.3 | 13.3–20.0 | 20.0–30.0 | 30.0–40.0 | 40.0 and above |
Particulate matter | 1-hour | µg/m3 | <50 | 50–100 | 100–200 | 200–600 | 600 and above |
Particulate matter | 1-hour | µg/m3 | <25 | 25–50 | 50–100 | 100–300 | 300 and above |
These air quality categories are based on the (NEPM) standards for NO2 and SO2, the interim web reporting threshold values for hourly PM10 and PM2.5.
This information is also available by calling the NSW EES Environment Line: 131 555 (local call cost throughout NSW) or (02) 9995 5555 (if calling from outside NSW).
Disclaimer: The data used in the compilation of this page have undergone only preliminary quality assurance checks. These data may require modification during final stages of validation as a result of calibration changes, power failures, instrument failures etc.
Alerts - none currently
Activity guide
The activity guide below has been derived by categorising air quality into colour indicators, based on threshold values for air pollutants’ concentrations and visibility data. Go with the colours and follow the recommended actions to protect your health.
Air quality category | General health advice and recommended actions | |
Sensitive groups including:
| Everyone else | |
Good |
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Fair |
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Poor |
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Very poor |
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Extremely poor |
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Steps to reduce risk from bushfire smoke
When it’s smoky, everyone should:
- Follow your doctor’s advice about medicines and your asthma management plan if you have one. Keep your medication close at hand. Consult your doctor if symptoms worsen.
- Reduce or avoid vigorous outdoor activity see activity guide below.
- Spend more time indoors. Keep doors and windows shut to keep the smoke out. Open windows and doors whenever the smoke clears.
- Spend time in air conditioned venues like cinemas, libraries and shopping centres.
- Avoid indoor sources of air pollution like cigarettes, candles and incense sticks.
If your child has diagnosed asthma:
- Have an up to date Asthma Action Plan. Seek review with your child’s GP to assess their current asthma management.
- Check your child’s reliever medication and spacer is up-to-date and accessible by a responsible adult.
- Provide written asthma first aid instructions, completed by your child’s GP, to their preschool, childcare centre or school.
- Visit the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network’s Aiming for Asthma Improvement in Children website which includes a Good asthma control checklist.
- Free asthma helpline: If you need information specific to people with asthma, visit the Asthma Australia website to access their free helpline.
Information for sensitive groups
Some people may be more sensitive to air pollution. Sensitive groups include people with lung disease or heart disease, children, older adults, pregnant women.
If you need information specific to people with asthma, visit the Asthma Australia website to access their free helpline.
Anyone with persistent symptoms should seek medical advice or call Health Direct Australia on 1800 022 222
Bushfire health advice
Bushfire smoke can affect people's health and it is important for everyone to reduce exposure.
Visit Health NSW - Bushfire to find out about:
- protecting yourself from bushfire smoke
- returning home safely
- medications and prescriptions
- support services
- illness and injury from bushfire
- information for child care centres and parents
- advice for general practitioners
See Understanding Air Quality Data to learn about air quality information, what air quality categories are, how they are calculated and how you should use them to protect your health.
Subscribe to air quality updates
Anyone with persistent symptoms should seek medical advice or call Health Direct Australia on 1800 022 222.
View the data licence statement for information about using and attributing these data.