Sydney forecast
An air quality forecast for the Sydney Metropolitan Region is made at 4pm every day.
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.
Anyone with persistent symptoms should seek medical advice or call Health Direct Australia on 1800 022 222.
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.
What activity can I do?
| Colour indicator | What activities can I do |
|---|---|
|
0-33 Very good | Enjoy normal activities. |
|
34-65 Good | Enjoy normal activities. |
|
67-99 Fair | People unusually sensitive to air pollution should reduce or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities. Others are not likely to be affected when the AQI is in this range. |
|
100-149 Poor | Sensitive groups should reduce strenuous outdoor activities. Other adults are not likely to be affected. Anyone who experiences symptoms should reduce outdoor activities. |
|
150-199 Very poor | Sensitive groups should avoid strenuous outdoor activities Other adults should reduce or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities. |
|
200+ Hazardous | Sensitive groups should avoid all outdoor activities. Other adults should avoid strenuous outdoor activities. |
- Bushfire emergency monitoring is being undertaken at the following locations across NSW, using a series of temporary incident air quality monitoring instruments: Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Lismore , Grafton, Taree, Ulladulla, Batemans Bay, Merimbula, Cooma
- Air quality across NSW may be affected by extensive smoke from bushfires:
- smoke movement visit satview.bom.gov.au
- live fires visit Fires Near Me
- Visibility (Vis or NEPH) is a good indicator for smoke. If the Visibility AQI is “Poor” or worse, then there is likely to be significant smoke outside. If Visibility is “Fair” (yellow), there could be some impact due to smoke. While visibility is also affected by dust, the instrument is more sensitive to smoke.
Bushfire smoke can affect people's health and it is important for everyone to reduce exposure.
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
Learn about air quality information, what Air Quality Index values are and how they are calculated.