Tucson Air Quality in November
Across 2019–2025, Tucson's November air quality had a median AQI of 52 (Moderate) over 210 monitored days in the Tucson, AZ area. 0.5% of November days (1 of 210) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 57.1% of days. The cleanest November on record here was 2019 (median AQI 44, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2020 (median 57, 1 day above 100, peak AQI 277).
- Good: 36.2%
- Moderate: 63.3%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 0.0%
- 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.
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How is the air in Tucson in November?
Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 52 across 2019–2025, with 0.5% of November days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓36.2% of November days were Good (AQI 0–50), 63.3% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓1 day of 210 reached AQI 101+; the November peak was 277.
- ✓Best November: 2019; worst November: 2020.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Tucson in November?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Tucson in November was 52 (Moderate). 36.2% of days were Good, 63.3% Moderate, and 0.5% reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, based on 210 monitored days in EPA's Air Quality System.
Is November a good time for outdoor exercise in Tucson?▾
A typical November day in Tucson is Moderate (median AQI 52): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and fewer than 1% of November days 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 November air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 57.1% of November days in Tucson. The highest November AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 277 (Very Unhealthy), in 2020.
Tucson November air quality, year by year
Tucson November air quality by year (Tucson, AZ, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019cleanest | 30 | 44 | 0 | 56 | PM10 |
| 2020worst | 30 | 57 | 1 | 277 | PM2.5 |
| 2021 | 30 | 56 | 0 | 66 | PM2.5 |
| 2022 | 30 | 52 | 0 | 69 | PM2.5 |
| 2023 | 30 | 48 | 0 | 88 | PM2.5 |
| 2024 | 30 | 53 | 0 | 57 | PM2.5 |
| 2025 | 30 | 51 | 0 | 66 | PM2.5 |
What November air means in Tucson
A typical November day in Tucson is Moderate (median AQI 52): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and fewer than 1% of November days reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
November's median AQI of 52 is in line with Tucson's whole-year median of 54, so this period is neither a clean nor a dirty stretch for the area. Nationally, the median November AQI across every EPA metro area (92,704 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 39, so Tucson runs above the national November norm; 0.5% of its November days topped AQI 100 versus 0.6% nationally (about the same).
November is part of Tucson's fall season (September, October, November); the fall 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.