Anchorage Air Quality in January
Across 2019–2025, Anchorage's January air quality had a median AQI of 53 (Moderate) over 217 monitored days in the Anchorage, AK area. 2.8% of January days (6 of 217) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 95.9% of days. The cleanest January on record here was 2022 (median AQI 49, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2021 (median 49, 3 days above 100, peak AQI 163).
- Good: 46.1%
- Moderate: 51.2%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 2.3%
- Unhealthy or worse: 0.5%
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How is the air in Anchorage in January?
Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 53 across 2019–2025, with 2.8% of January days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓46.1% of January days were Good (AQI 0–50), 51.2% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓6 days of 217 reached AQI 101+; the January peak was 163.
- ✓Best January: 2022; worst January: 2021.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Anchorage in January?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Anchorage in January was 53 (Moderate). 46.1% of days were Good, 51.2% Moderate, and 2.8% reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, based on 217 monitored days in EPA's Air Quality System.
Is January a good time for outdoor exercise in Anchorage?▾
A typical January day in Anchorage is Moderate (median AQI 53): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 36 of January days (2.8%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
Which pollutant causes Anchorage's January air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 95.9% of January days in Anchorage. The highest January AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 163 (Unhealthy), in 2021.
Anchorage January air quality, year by year
Anchorage January air quality by year (Anchorage, AK, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 31 | 58 | 0 | 95 | PM2.5 |
| 2020 | 31 | 62 | 1 | 103 | PM2.5 |
| 2021worst | 31 | 49 | 3 | 163 | PM2.5 |
| 2022cleanest | 31 | 49 | 0 | 96 | PM2.5 |
| 2023 | 31 | 48 | 1 | 102 | PM2.5 |
| 2024 | 31 | 54 | 0 | 80 | PM2.5 |
| 2025 | 31 | 23 | 1 | 106 | PM2.5 |
What January air means in Anchorage
A typical January day in Anchorage is Moderate (median AQI 53): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 36 of January days (2.8%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
January's median AQI of 53 is above Anchorage's whole-year median of 27, making it one of the area's dirtier periods. Nationally, the median January AQI across every EPA metro area (95,602 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 39, so Anchorage runs above the national January norm; 2.8% of its January days topped AQI 100 versus 0.7% nationally (above average).
January is part of Anchorage's winter season (December, January, February); the winter page pools all three months.
Activity-specific thresholds: running, cycling, kids' sports.
Right now in Anchorage
The latest EPA AirNow observation puts Anchorage's AQI at 18 (PM10). The figures above are multi-year month statistics, not today's reading.
View current Anchorage air quality →Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) pre-generated Daily AQI by CBSA files — daily AQI by CBSA (Anchorage, AK), 2019–2025. Daily AQI per CBSA is the highest AQI reported by any monitor in the area that day; the defining parameter is the pollutant that set it. Month and season statistics pool every such day in the period across all years listed. Retrieved 2026-09-09.