Atlanta Air Quality in Winter
Across 2019–2025, Atlanta's winter (December–February) air quality had a median AQI of 52 (Moderate) over 632 monitored days in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA area. 0.2% of winter days (1 of 632) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 84.5% of days. The cleanest winter on record here was 2020 (median AQI 47, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2023 (median 53, 1 day above 100, peak AQI 103).
- Good: 44.1%
- Moderate: 55.7%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 0.2%
- 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.
Recommended: Coway AP-1512HH Mighty — True HEPA + carbon · CADR ~246 CFM · rooms up to 361 sq ft
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
How is the air in Atlanta in winter?
Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 52 across 2019–2025, with 0.2% of winter days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓44.1% of winter days were Good (AQI 0–50), 55.7% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓1 day of 632 reached AQI 101+; the winter peak was 103.
- ✓Cleanest month: January; worst month: December.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Atlanta in winter?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Atlanta in winter was 52 (Moderate). 44.1% of days were Good, 55.7% Moderate, and 0.2% reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, based on 632 monitored days in EPA's Air Quality System.
Is winter a good time for outdoor exercise in Atlanta?▾
A typical winter day in Atlanta is Moderate (median AQI 52): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and fewer than 1% of winter 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 winter air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 84.5% of winter days in Atlanta. The highest winter AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 103 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups), in 2023.
Atlanta winter air quality, year by year
Atlanta winter 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 90 | 53 | 0 | 80 | PM2.5 |
| 2020cleanest | 91 | 47 | 0 | 81 | PM2.5 |
| 2021 | 90 | 52 | 0 | 97 | PM2.5 |
| 2022 | 90 | 53 | 0 | 75 | PM2.5 |
| 2023worst | 90 | 53 | 1 | 103 | PM2.5 |
| 2024 | 91 | 52 | 0 | 90 | PM2.5 |
| 2025 | 90 | 54 | 0 | 92 | PM2.5 |
What winter air means in Atlanta
A typical winter day in Atlanta is Moderate (median AQI 52): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and fewer than 1% of winter days reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
Winter's median AQI of 52 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 Winter AQI across every EPA metro area (278,620 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 40, so Atlanta runs above the national Winter norm; 0.2% of its Winter days topped AQI 100 versus 0.6% nationally (about the same).
Within the season, January is the cleanest month (median AQI 51, 0.0% of days above 100) and December the worst (median 53, 0.5% above 100).
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 season 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.