The National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP)'s regional air quality modeling (AQM) system combines current knowledge of atmospheric science and air quality modeling with multi-processor computing techniques to deliver fast, technically sound estimates of ozone (O3) and particulate matter (PM2.5). The Environmental Modeling Center (EMC) is responsible for the enhancements, transitions-to-operations, and maintenance of the AQM. NCEP regional AQM incorporates some components of the US EPA Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) modeling system. CMAQ is an active open-source development project of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and, although not verified here, can also forecast toxins and acid deposition.
You can learn more about CMAQ here.
The current operational version of the AQM is version 6.1.9 as of 2023 September 25. The service change notice can be found here. Verification for the operational AQM and other operational air quality models can be found by navigating the links to the left.
Verification is done using the EMC Verification System (EVS), which uses METplus.