In a move to keep the public more "air aware," the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has rolled out an improved air quality data map. The map, accessible via the DNR website, provides real-time data from across the state, delivered through a color-coded guide based on the Air Quality Index (AQI).
Offering a proactive approach, the updated map was designed to make locating air quality information as easy as breathing—though, preferably, cleaner. With its new features, critical updates on air quality are now instantly visible through a scrolling banner at the top. Ensuring that residents can quickly grasp which way the wind blows, a new "News" textbox has been added on the landing page, dedicated to spotlighting air quality advisories and other vital updates.
Usability is at the heart of these recent enhancements. Navigating the site has become smoother with sleek map menu icons on the right-hand side of the screen, providing an app-like experience. This eliminates the former necessity of foraging through less user-friendly dropdown menus for information.
The utility of this tool is further improved by the introduction of an "Orange or Above" AQI filter, helping users to swiftly pinpoint when air quality dips to health-impacting levels. The drought of easy-to-use air quality alerts has ended, with this filter serving as a clear visual guide for times when Wisconsin experiences ozone advisories or wildfire smoke events, as seen this past summer.
