Washington Air Quality in February
Across 2019–2025, Washington's February air quality had a median AQI of 51 (Moderate) over 198 monitored days in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area. 0.0% of February days (0 of 198) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 75.8% of days. The cleanest February on record here was 2025 (median AQI 42, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2021 (median 55, 0 days above 100, peak AQI 81).
- Good: 49.0%
- Moderate: 51.0%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 0.0%
- Unhealthy or worse: 0.0%
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How is the air in Washington in February?
Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 51 across 2019–2025, with 0.0% of February days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓49.0% of February days were Good (AQI 0–50), 51.0% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓0 days of 198 reached AQI 101+; the February peak was 88.
- ✓Best February: 2025; worst February: 2021.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Washington in February?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Washington in February was 51 (Moderate). 49.0% of days were Good, 51.0% Moderate, and 0.0% 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 Washington?▾
A typical February day in Washington is Moderate (median AQI 51): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and fewer than 1% of February 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 Washington's February air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 75.8% of February days in Washington. The highest February AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 88 (Moderate), in 2021.
Washington February air quality, year by year
Washington February air quality by year (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 28 | 54 | 0 | 88 | PM2.5 |
| 2020 | 29 | 43 | 0 | 67 | PM2.5 |
| 2021worst | 28 | 55 | 0 | 81 | PM2.5 |
| 2022 | 28 | 53 | 0 | 66 | PM2.5 |
| 2023 | 28 | 47 | 0 | 64 | PM2.5 |
| 2024 | 29 | 50 | 0 | 66 | PM2.5 |
| 2025cleanest | 28 | 42 | 0 | 77 | PM2.5 |
What February air means in Washington
A typical February day in Washington is Moderate (median AQI 51): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and fewer than 1% of February days 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 51 is in line with Washington's whole-year median of 52, so this period is neither a clean nor a dirty stretch for the area. Nationally, the median February AQI across every EPA metro area (87,428 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 41, so Washington runs above the national February norm; 0.0% of its February days topped AQI 100 versus 0.4% nationally (about the same).
February is part of Washington's winter season (December, January, February); the winter page pools all three months.
Activity-specific thresholds: running, cycling, kids' sports.
Right now in Washington
The latest EPA AirNow observation puts Washington's AQI at 41 (PM2.5). The figures above are multi-year month statistics, not today's reading.
View current Washington air quality →Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) pre-generated Daily AQI by CBSA files — daily AQI by CBSA (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV), 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.