Phoenix Air Quality in July
Across 2019–2025, Phoenix's July air quality had a median AQI of 100 (Moderate) over 217 monitored days in the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ area. 47.9% of July days (104 of 217) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and ground-level ozone set the daily AQI on 65.0% of days. The cleanest July on record here was 2025 (median AQI 77, 2 days above 100) and the worst was 2020 (median 143, 21 days above 100, peak AQI 237).
- Good: 1.8%
- Moderate: 50.2%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 33.6%
- Unhealthy or worse: 14.3%
Reduce Indoor Ozone in Phoenix
Today's main pollutant in Phoenix is ground-level ozone (AQI 47). Important: standard HEPA filters do NOT remove ozone — only a purifier with a substantial activated-carbon bed adsorbs it. The biggest wins are cutting indoor sources (gas appliances, certain "ionizer" purifiers) and ventilating when outdoor ozone is low (early morning). A high-carbon unit helps with the gases and VOCs that linger indoors.
Recommended: Levoit Core 300 — True HEPA + activated carbon · CADR ~141 CFM · rooms up to 219 sq ft
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How is the air in Phoenix in July?
Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 100 across 2019–2025, with 47.9% of July days above AQI 100. Ground-level ozone is the main driver.
- ✓1.8% of July days were Good (AQI 0–50), 50.2% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓104 days of 217 reached AQI 101+; the July peak was 709.
- ✓Best July: 2025; worst July: 2020.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Phoenix in July?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Phoenix in July was 100 (Moderate). 1.8% of days were Good, 50.2% Moderate, and 47.9% reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, based on 217 monitored days in EPA's Air Quality System.
Is July a good time for outdoor exercise in Phoenix?▾
A typical July day in Phoenix is Moderate (median AQI 100): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 2 of July days (47.9%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
Which pollutant causes Phoenix's July air quality problems?▾
Ground-level ozone set the daily AQI on 65.0% of July days in Phoenix. The highest July AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 709 (Hazardous), in 2020.
Phoenix July air quality, year by year
Phoenix July air quality by year (Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 31 | 93 | 10 | 147 | O3 |
| 2020worst | 31 | 143 | 21 | 237 | O3 |
| 2021 | 31 | 108 | 20 | 198 | O3 |
| 2022 | 31 | 92 | 11 | 461 | O3 |
| 2023 | 31 | 108 | 18 | 709 | O3 |
| 2024 | 31 | 108 | 22 | 337 | O3 |
| 2025cleanest | 31 | 77 | 2 | 212 | O3 |
What July air means in Phoenix
A typical July day in Phoenix is Moderate (median AQI 100): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 2 of July days (47.9%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
July's median AQI of 100 is above Phoenix's whole-year median of 79, making it one of the area's dirtier periods. Nationally, the median July AQI across every EPA metro area (103,858 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 47, so Phoenix runs above the national July norm; 47.9% of its July days topped AQI 100 versus 3.6% nationally (above average).
July is part of Phoenix's summer season (June, July, August); the summer page pools all three months.
Activity-specific thresholds: running, cycling, kids' sports.
Right now in Phoenix
The latest EPA AirNow observation puts Phoenix's AQI at 47 (O3). The figures above are multi-year month statistics, not today's reading.
View current Phoenix air quality →Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) pre-generated Daily AQI by CBSA files — daily AQI by CBSA (Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ), 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.