NC Air Awareness

09/02/2026

FYI (9/2/2026)

07/16/2026

FYI

ALERT (7/16/2026 – 10:50 AM) - A Code ORANGE Action Day for ozone has been issued for Wake, Durham, Granville, and Franklin counties, effective now through 8PM Thursday.

A Code ORANGE Air Quality Action Day for ozone remains in effect for Mecklenburg County through 8PM Thursday.

CODE ORANGE means that sensitive groups, such as older adults, children, active people, and those with lung disease such as asthma may experience health effects and should limit prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.

For our discussion & KML files: https://airquality.climate.ncsu.edu/discussion/

07/01/2026

ALERT (7/1/2026 – 9:45 AM) - A Code ORANGE Air Quality Alert for ozone has been issued for Gaston, Lincoln, and Mecklenburg Counties from 10am to 8pm today
For more details on this forecast visit: https://t.co/6Ld1aT10Hk

06/04/2026

ALERT (6/4/26 – 3:49 PM): A CODE ORANGE Air Quality Action Day for OZONE has been issued for Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, and Rowan counties effective 10AM to 8PM Friday.

For our discussion & KML files: https://airquality.climate.ncsu.edu/discussion/

05/29/2026

An interesting air quality event happened on Friday, May 15. We dug deeper into it in our latest blog post:

https://airquality.climate.ncsu.edu/2026/05/29/rapid-reaction-the-stratosphere-makes-a-surprise-visit/

05/08/2026

Air Quality Awareness Week is the perfect time to celebrate the progress North Carolina is making toward a cleaner, healthier future!

DEQ’s Division of Air Quality produces a statewide inventory of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that represents the state’s “carbon footprint.” The 2026 update to the GHG emissions inventory provides a detailed look at emissions from human activity since 1990, along with projections of what North Carolina’s emissions could look like through 2050.

Want to explore the data or dive deeper into North Carolina’s progress? You can find the full Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory report and our press release online.

North Carolina's inventory of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions represents our state's “carbon footprint.” DEQ updates the report's inventory and forecast every…

05/08/2026

Ring Ring! Calling all seventh-grade teachers and students!

Every year, DEQ’s Division of Air Quality invites seventh- grade students to participate in the AQ-IQ Contest. The AQ-IQ Contest gives students a chance to create a project that highlights an air quality issue and provides a solution to that issue.

The AQ-IQ Contest links closely with the N.C. Essential Standards and puts the student in the role of presenting the information, which is one of the most effective ways to learn. For details about the contest, how to participate and project closing date visit: AQ-IQ Contest.

Inspiration and hints from students:

AQ IQ Contest Inspiration and Hints for Students

05/08/2026

Teachers deserve more than apples! 🍎

That’s why we have created free K-12 Air Quality lessons and resources for teachers. These lessons are aligned with the N.C. Essential Standards to help students reach established academic goals. 📒✏

We have hundreds of teachers already using this content and encourage you to check out “The Adventures of Clair and CAM”, “Burning Questions?”, and “It’s Our Air”. Want to take it a step further and have our air experts visit your classroom? Contact [email protected] to learn more about how you can schedule an air quality activity or lesson in your school.

Free teacher resources:

K-12 Air Quality Education N.C. Air Awareness is the public outreach and education program of the North Carolina Division of Air Quality. The program helps

05/08/2026

Did you know that the Division of Air Quality has nine Regional Offices? We aren’t only located in Raleigh, but a city near you. With regional offices in Ashville, Winston-Salem, Fayetteville, Mooresville, Raleigh, Wilmington and little Washington, we are serving communities in all of North Carolina’s counties. https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/contact/regional-offices

With concerns about odor, dust, open burning or vehicle emissions, you can reach out to your regional office and express your air quality needs and learn helpful regional information.

05/07/2026

A message from Secretary Reid Wilson. HAPPY AIR QUALITY AWARENESS WEEK!!