Modesto Air Quality in September
Across 2019–2025, Modesto's September air quality had a median AQI of 57 (Moderate) over 210 monitored days in the Modesto, CA area. 14.8% of September days (31 of 210) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and ground-level ozone set the daily AQI on 63.8% of days. The cleanest September on record here was 2023 (median AQI 53, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2020 (median 92, 14 days above 100, peak AQI 195).
- Good: 35.2%
- Moderate: 50.0%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 11.0%
- Unhealthy or worse: 3.8%
Extra Protection for Modesto Homes
Air quality in Modesto is moderate (AQI 63), with particle pollution the main concern. A True-HEPA purifier gives sensitive groups — kids, seniors and anyone with asthma or allergies — cleaner air indoors on days like today.
Recommended: Coway AP-1512HH Mighty — True HEPA + carbon · CADR ~246 CFM · rooms up to 361 sq ft
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How is the air in Modesto in September?
Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 57 across 2019–2025, with 14.8% of September days above AQI 100. Ground-level ozone is the main driver.
- ✓35.2% of September days were Good (AQI 0–50), 50.0% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓31 days of 210 reached AQI 101+; the September peak was 195.
- ✓Best September: 2023; worst September: 2020.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Modesto in September?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Modesto in September was 57 (Moderate). 35.2% of days were Good, 50.0% Moderate, and 14.8% reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, based on 210 monitored days in EPA's Air Quality System.
Is September a good time for outdoor exercise in Modesto?▾
A typical September day in Modesto is Moderate (median AQI 57): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 7 of September days (14.8%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
Which pollutant causes Modesto's September air quality problems?▾
Ground-level ozone set the daily AQI on 63.8% of September days in Modesto. The highest September AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 195 (Unhealthy), in 2020.
Modesto September air quality, year by year
Modesto September air quality by year (Modesto, CA, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 30 | 47 | 2 | 136 | O3 |
| 2020worst | 30 | 92 | 14 | 195 | PM2.5 |
| 2021 | 30 | 68 | 5 | 115 | O3 |
| 2022 | 30 | 56 | 6 | 166 | O3 |
| 2023cleanest | 30 | 53 | 0 | 95 | PM2.5 |
| 2024 | 30 | 56 | 3 | 136 | O3 |
| 2025 | 30 | 54 | 1 | 108 | O3 |
What September air means in Modesto
A typical September day in Modesto is Moderate (median AQI 57): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 7 of September days (14.8%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
September's median AQI of 57 is in line with Modesto's whole-year median of 54, so this period is neither a clean nor a dirty stretch for the area. Nationally, the median September AQI across every EPA metro area (100,699 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 43, so Modesto runs above the national September norm; 14.8% of its September days topped AQI 100 versus 2.7% nationally (above average).
September is part of Modesto's fall season (September, October, November); the fall page pools all three months.
Activity-specific thresholds: running, cycling, kids' sports.
Right now in Modesto
The latest EPA AirNow observation puts Modesto's AQI at 63 (PM10). The figures above are multi-year month statistics, not today's reading.
View current Modesto air quality →Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) pre-generated Daily AQI by CBSA files — daily AQI by CBSA (Modesto, CA), 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.