Atlanta Air Quality in December
Across 2019–2025, Atlanta's December air quality had a median AQI of 53 (Moderate) over 217 monitored days in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA area. 0.5% of December days (1 of 217) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 87.1% of days. The cleanest December on record here was 2019 (median AQI 48, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2023 (median 53, 1 day above 100, peak AQI 103).
- Good: 37.8%
- Moderate: 61.8%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 0.5%
- Unhealthy or worse: 0.0%
Extra Protection for Atlanta Homes
Air quality in Atlanta is moderate (AQI 59), 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.
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How is the air in Atlanta in December?
Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 53 across 2019–2025, with 0.5% of December days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓37.8% of December days were Good (AQI 0–50), 61.8% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓1 day of 217 reached AQI 101+; the December peak was 103.
- ✓Best December: 2019; worst December: 2023.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Atlanta in December?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Atlanta in December was 53 (Moderate). 37.8% of days were Good, 61.8% Moderate, and 0.5% reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, based on 217 monitored days in EPA's Air Quality System.
Is December a good time for outdoor exercise in Atlanta?▾
A typical December day in Atlanta is Moderate (median AQI 53): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and fewer than 1% of December 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 Atlanta's December air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 87.1% of December days in Atlanta. The highest December AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 103 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups), in 2023.
Atlanta December air quality, year by year
Atlanta December air quality by year (Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019cleanest | 31 | 48 | 0 | 80 | PM2.5 |
| 2020 | 31 | 57 | 0 | 81 | PM2.5 |
| 2021 | 31 | 56 | 0 | 97 | PM2.5 |
| 2022 | 31 | 51 | 0 | 75 | PM2.5 |
| 2023worst | 31 | 53 | 1 | 103 | PM2.5 |
| 2024 | 31 | 52 | 0 | 89 | PM2.5 |
| 2025 | 31 | 56 | 0 | 92 | PM2.5 |
What December air means in Atlanta
A typical December day in Atlanta is Moderate (median AQI 53): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and fewer than 1% of December days reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
December's median AQI of 53 is in line with Atlanta's whole-year median of 54, so this period is neither a clean nor a dirty stretch for the area. Nationally, the median December AQI across every EPA metro area (95,590 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 39, so Atlanta runs above the national December norm; 0.5% of its December days topped AQI 100 versus 0.7% nationally (about the same).
December is part of Atlanta's winter season (December, January, February); the winter page pools all three months.
Activity-specific thresholds: running, cycling, kids' sports.
Right now in Atlanta
The latest EPA AirNow observation puts Atlanta's AQI at 59 (PM2.5). The figures above are multi-year month statistics, not today's reading.
View current Atlanta air quality →Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) pre-generated Daily AQI by CBSA files — daily AQI by CBSA (Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA), 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.