Tucson Air Quality in July
Across 2019–2025, Tucson's July air quality had a median AQI of 64 (Moderate) over 217 monitored days in the Tucson, AZ area. 7.9% of July days (17 of 217) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and ground-level ozone set the daily AQI on 70.5% of days. The cleanest July on record here was 2025 (median AQI 54, 1 day above 100) and the worst was 2023 (median 77, 4 days above 100, peak AQI 122).
- Good: 22.1%
- Moderate: 70.0%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 7.4%
- Unhealthy or worse: 0.5%
Reduce Indoor Ozone in Tucson
Today's main pollutant in Tucson is ground-level ozone (AQI 35). 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
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
How is the air in Tucson in July?
Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 64 across 2019–2025, with 7.9% of July days above AQI 100. Ground-level ozone is the main driver.
- ✓22.1% of July days were Good (AQI 0–50), 70.0% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓17 days of 217 reached AQI 101+; the July peak was 357.
- ✓Best July: 2025; worst July: 2023.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Tucson in July?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Tucson in July was 64 (Moderate). 22.1% of days were Good, 70.0% Moderate, and 7.9% 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 Tucson?▾
A typical July day in Tucson is Moderate (median AQI 64): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 13 of July days (7.9%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
Which pollutant causes Tucson's July air quality problems?▾
Ground-level ozone set the daily AQI on 70.5% of July days in Tucson. The highest July AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 357 (Hazardous), in 2023.
Tucson July air quality, year by year
Tucson July air quality by year (Tucson, AZ, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 31 | 55 | 1 | 101 | O3 |
| 2020 | 31 | 58 | 1 | 101 | PM10 |
| 2021 | 31 | 77 | 3 | 108 | O3 |
| 2022 | 31 | 64 | 3 | 119 | O3 |
| 2023worst | 31 | 77 | 4 | 122 | O3 |
| 2024 | 31 | 71 | 4 | 119 | O3 |
| 2025cleanest | 31 | 54 | 1 | 357 | O3 |
What July air means in Tucson
A typical July day in Tucson is Moderate (median AQI 64): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 13 of July days (7.9%) 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 64 is above Tucson's whole-year median of 54, 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 Tucson runs above the national July norm; 7.9% of its July days topped AQI 100 versus 3.6% nationally (above average).
July is part of Tucson's summer season (June, July, August); the summer page pools all three months.
Activity-specific thresholds: running, cycling, kids' sports.
Right now in Tucson
The latest EPA AirNow observation puts Tucson's AQI at 35 (O3). The figures above are multi-year month statistics, not today's reading.
View current Tucson air quality →Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) pre-generated Daily AQI by CBSA files — daily AQI by CBSA (Tucson, 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.