Air quality warnings
Air quality warnings (previously called “air quality advisories”) are issued when degraded regional air quality exceeds or is expected to exceed Metro Vancouver’s air quality objectives. Air quality warnings contain information that describes the immediate issue, the impacts it may have, and what everyone can do to protect themselves and improve air quality.
Learn about Metro Vancouver's
Air Quality Advisory Program and how to protect yourself from wildfire smoke.
Air quality bulletins
Metro Vancouver puts out air quality bulletins to let you know when air quality may degrade in localized areas within the communities identified in each bulletin. Air quality bulletins are issued during the cooler times of year (fall or winter) when weather conditions are preventing dispersion of air pollutants.
Air quality status updates
Air quality status updates are provided when needed during the summer air quality warning period (typically June to September). These updates are issued when there is the potential for degraded regional air quality in advance of or during an air quality warning.
Conditions may change at any time and the update may not accurately portray current conditions. To view the real-time air quality data and the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), visit
airmap.ca.
These updates do not replace air quality warnings.
Air quality warning outlook levels
Air quality warning outlook levels are provided in the air quality status update (when available) to communicate the potential for an air quality warning.
Low: Regional air quality is not expected to exceed ambient air quality objectives and an air quality warning is unlikely.
Medium: Regional air quality may be somewhat degraded or is expected to become degraded. There is considerable uncertainty if air quality objectives will be exceeded and if an air quality warning will be necessary.
High: Regional air quality may be degraded or expected to be degraded. Air quality objectives may be exceeded and an air quality warning may be needed, however there may still be uncertainty. Metro Vancouver staff are closely watching the situation.