Washington Air Quality in July
Across 2019–2025, Washington's July air quality had a median AQI of 61 (Moderate) over 217 monitored days in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area. 11.1% of July days (24 of 217) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and ground-level ozone set the daily AQI on 53.0% of days. The cleanest July on record here was 2022 (median AQI 58, 1 day above 100) and the worst was 2023 (median 64, 7 days above 100, peak AQI 131).
- Good: 20.7%
- Moderate: 68.2%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 8.8%
- Unhealthy or worse: 2.3%
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How is the air in Washington in July?
Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 61 across 2019–2025, with 11.1% of July days above AQI 100. Ground-level ozone is the main driver.
- ✓20.7% of July days were Good (AQI 0–50), 68.2% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓24 days of 217 reached AQI 101+; the July peak was 185.
- ✓Best July: 2022; worst July: 2023.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Washington in July?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Washington in July was 61 (Moderate). 20.7% of days were Good, 68.2% Moderate, and 11.1% 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 Washington?▾
A typical July day in Washington 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 9 of July days (11.1%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
Which pollutant causes Washington's July air quality problems?▾
Ground-level ozone set the daily AQI on 53.0% of July days in Washington. The highest July AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 185 (Unhealthy), in 2023.
Washington July air quality, year by year
Washington July 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 | 31 | 64 | 4 | 159 | O3 |
| 2020 | 31 | 57 | 3 | 171 | O3 |
| 2021 | 31 | 67 | 4 | 153 | PM2.5 |
| 2022cleanest | 31 | 58 | 1 | 128 | PM2.5 |
| 2023worst | 31 | 64 | 7 | 131 | O3 |
| 2024 | 31 | 63 | 1 | 105 | O3 |
| 2025 | 31 | 55 | 4 | 185 | PM2.5 |
What July air means in Washington
A typical July day in Washington 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 9 of July days (11.1%) 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 61 is above Washington's whole-year median of 52, 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 Washington runs above the national July norm; 11.1% of its July days topped AQI 100 versus 3.6% nationally (above average).
July is part of Washington's summer season (June, July, August); the summer 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.