Riverside Air Quality in February

Across 2019–2025, Riverside's February air quality had a median AQI of 61 (Moderate) over 198 monitored days in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA area. 7.1% of February days (14 of 198) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 76.3% of days. The cleanest February on record here was 2024 (median AQI 58, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2025 (median 64, 3 days above 100, peak AQI 164).

61
Median AQI
Moderate
7.1%
Days above AQI 100
14 of 198 days
93
90th percentile AQI
worst 1 day in 10
409
Peak AQI
Hazardous
PM2.5
Main pollutant
76.3% of days
18.2%
Good days
36 of 198
  • Good: 18.2%
  • Moderate: 74.7%
  • Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 5.1%
  • Unhealthy or worse: 2.0%

Extra Protection for Riverside Homes

Air quality in Riverside is moderate (AQI 58), with fine particles (PM2.5) 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 MightyTrue HEPA + carbon · CADR ~246 CFM · rooms up to 361 sq ft

Check Price on Amazon →

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

QUICK ANSWER

How is the air in Riverside in February?

Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 61 across 2019–2025, with 7.1% of February days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.

  • 18.2% of February days were Good (AQI 0–50), 74.7% Moderate (51–100).
  • 14 days of 198 reached AQI 101+; the February peak was 409.
  • Best February: 2024; worst February: 2025.

Frequently asked questions

What is the air quality like in Riverside in February?

Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Riverside in February was 61 (Moderate). 18.2% of days were Good, 74.7% Moderate, and 7.1% reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, based on 198 monitored days in EPA's Air Quality System.

Is February a good time for outdoor exercise in Riverside?

A typical February day in Riverside is Moderate (median AQI 61): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 14 of February days (7.1%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.

Which pollutant causes Riverside's February air quality problems?

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 76.3% of February days in Riverside. The highest February AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 409 (Hazardous), in 2025.

Riverside February air quality, year by year

Riverside February air quality by year (Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA, EPA AQS daily AQI)

YearDays monitoredMedian AQIDays above 100Peak AQIMain pollutant
201928581118PM2.5
202029692105PM2.5
202128712120PM2.5
202228633409PM2.5
202328553177PM2.5
2024cleanest2958094PM2.5
2025worst28643164PM2.5

What February air means in Riverside

A typical February day in Riverside is Moderate (median AQI 61): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 14 of February days (7.1%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.

February's median AQI of 61 is below Riverside's whole-year median of 89, making it one of the area's cleaner periods. Nationally, the median February AQI across every EPA metro area (87,428 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 41, so Riverside runs above the national February norm; 7.1% of its February days topped AQI 100 versus 0.4% nationally (above average).

February is part of Riverside's winter season (December, January, February); the winter page pools all three months.

Activity-specific thresholds: running, cycling, kids' sports.

Right now in Riverside

The latest EPA AirNow observation puts Riverside's AQI at 58 (PM2.5). The figures above are multi-year month statistics, not today's reading.

View current Riverside air quality →

Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) pre-generated Daily AQI by CBSA files — daily AQI by CBSA (Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, 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.