Anchorage Air Quality in October
Across 2019–2025, Anchorage's October air quality had a median AQI of 34 (Good) over 217 monitored days in the Anchorage, AK area. 0.0% of October days (0 of 217) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 74.2% of days. The cleanest October on record here was 2022 (median AQI 24, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2020 (median 43, 0 days above 100, peak AQI 82).
- Good: 74.2%
- Moderate: 25.8%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 0.0%
- Unhealthy or worse: 0.0%
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How is the air in Anchorage in October?
Good on a typical day: median AQI 34 across 2019–2025, with 0.0% of October days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓74.2% of October days were Good (AQI 0–50), 25.8% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓0 days of 217 reached AQI 101+; the October peak was 97.
- ✓Best October: 2022; worst October: 2020.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Anchorage in October?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Anchorage in October was 34 (Good). 74.2% of days were Good, 25.8% Moderate, and 0.0% reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, based on 217 monitored days in EPA's Air Quality System.
Is October a good time for outdoor exercise in Anchorage?▾
A typical October day in Anchorage sits in the Good range (median AQI 34), so running, cycling and children's outdoor play are fine for everyone on most days; fewer than 1% of October days reached AQI 101+ in 2019–2025.
Which pollutant causes Anchorage's October air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 74.2% of October days in Anchorage. The highest October AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 97 (Moderate), in 2020.
Anchorage October air quality, year by year
Anchorage October air quality by year (Anchorage, AK, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 31 | 28 | 0 | 97 | PM2.5 |
| 2020worst | 31 | 43 | 0 | 82 | PM2.5 |
| 2021 | 31 | 30 | 0 | 66 | PM2.5 |
| 2022cleanest | 31 | 24 | 0 | 54 | PM2.5 |
| 2023 | 31 | 39 | 0 | 66 | PM2.5 |
| 2024 | 31 | 37 | 0 | 82 | PM2.5 |
| 2025 | 31 | 39 | 0 | 60 | PM2.5 |
What October air means in Anchorage
A typical October day in Anchorage sits in the Good range (median AQI 34), so running, cycling and children's outdoor play are fine for everyone on most days; fewer than 1% of October days reached AQI 101+ in 2019–2025.
October's median AQI of 34 is above Anchorage's whole-year median of 27, making it one of the area's dirtier periods. Nationally, the median October AQI across every EPA metro area (102,872 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 38, so Anchorage runs below the national October norm; 0.0% of its October days topped AQI 100 versus 1.3% nationally (below average).
October is part of Anchorage's fall season (September, October, November); the fall 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.