Detroit Air Quality in May
Across 2019–2025, Detroit's May air quality had a median AQI of 54 (Moderate) over 217 monitored days in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI area. 2.3% of May days (5 of 217) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 68.7% of days. The cleanest May on record here was 2020 (median AQI 47, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2023 (median 61, 3 days above 100, peak AQI 133).
- Good: 34.6%
- Moderate: 63.1%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 2.3%
- Unhealthy or worse: 0.0%
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How is the air in Detroit in May?
Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 54 across 2019–2025, with 2.3% of May days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓34.6% of May days were Good (AQI 0–50), 63.1% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓5 days of 217 reached AQI 101+; the May peak was 133.
- ✓Best May: 2020; worst May: 2023.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Detroit in May?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Detroit in May was 54 (Moderate). 34.6% of days were Good, 63.1% Moderate, and 2.3% reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, based on 217 monitored days in EPA's Air Quality System.
Is May a good time for outdoor exercise in Detroit?▾
A typical May day in Detroit is Moderate (median AQI 54): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 43 of May days (2.3%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
Which pollutant causes Detroit's May air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 68.7% of May days in Detroit. The highest May AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 133 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups), in 2023.
Detroit May air quality, year by year
Detroit May air quality by year (Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 31 | 57 | 0 | 73 | PM2.5 |
| 2020cleanest | 31 | 47 | 0 | 59 | PM2.5 |
| 2021 | 31 | 60 | 1 | 101 | PM2.5 |
| 2022 | 31 | 55 | 1 | 118 | PM2.5 |
| 2023worst | 31 | 61 | 3 | 133 | PM2.5 |
| 2024 | 31 | 51 | 0 | 97 | O3 |
| 2025 | 31 | 47 | 0 | 87 | PM2.5 |
What May air means in Detroit
A typical May day in Detroit is Moderate (median AQI 54): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 43 of May days (2.3%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
May's median AQI of 54 is below Detroit's whole-year median of 58, making it one of the area's cleaner periods. Nationally, the median May AQI across every EPA metro area (104,064 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 44, so Detroit runs above the national May norm; 2.3% of its May days topped AQI 100 versus 1.3% nationally (about the same).
May is part of Detroit's spring season (March, April, May); the spring page pools all three months.
Activity-specific thresholds: running, cycling, kids' sports.
Right now in Detroit
The latest EPA AirNow observation puts Detroit's AQI at 29 (PM2.5). The figures above are multi-year month statistics, not today's reading.
View current Detroit air quality →Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) pre-generated Daily AQI by CBSA files — daily AQI by CBSA (Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI), 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.