Grand Rapids Air Quality in October
Across 2019–2025, Grand Rapids's October air quality had a median AQI of 40 (Good) over 217 monitored days in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI area. 0.0% of October days (0 of 217) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 60.8% of days. The cleanest October on record here was 2019 (median AQI 27, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2022 (median 52, 0 days above 100, peak AQI 93).
- Good: 66.8%
- Moderate: 33.2%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 0.0%
- Unhealthy or worse: 0.0%
Extra Protection for Grand Rapids Homes
Air quality in Grand Rapids is moderate (AQI 53), 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
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How is the air in Grand Rapids in October?
Good on a typical day: median AQI 40 across 2019–2025, with 0.0% of October days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓66.8% of October days were Good (AQI 0–50), 33.2% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓0 days of 217 reached AQI 101+; the October peak was 93.
- ✓Best October: 2019; worst October: 2022.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Grand Rapids in October?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Grand Rapids in October was 40 (Good). 66.8% of days were Good, 33.2% Moderate, and 0.0% reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, based on 217 monitored days in EPA's Air Quality System.
Is October a good time for outdoor exercise in Grand Rapids?▾
A typical October day in Grand Rapids sits in the Good range (median AQI 40), so running, cycling and children's outdoor play are fine for everyone on most days; fewer than 1% of October days reached AQI 101+ in 2019–2025.
Which pollutant causes Grand Rapids's October air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 60.8% of October days in Grand Rapids. The highest October AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 93 (Moderate), in 2022.
Grand Rapids October air quality, year by year
Grand Rapids October air quality by year (Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019cleanest | 31 | 27 | 0 | 41 | O3 |
| 2020 | 31 | 29 | 0 | 64 | O3 |
| 2021 | 31 | 46 | 0 | 73 | PM2.5 |
| 2022worst | 31 | 52 | 0 | 93 | PM2.5 |
| 2023 | 31 | 33 | 0 | 71 | PM2.5 |
| 2024 | 31 | 51 | 0 | 67 | PM2.5 |
| 2025 | 31 | 46 | 0 | 74 | PM2.5 |
What October air means in Grand Rapids
A typical October day in Grand Rapids sits in the Good range (median AQI 40), so running, cycling and children's outdoor play are fine for everyone on most days; fewer than 1% of October days reached AQI 101+ in 2019–2025.
October's median AQI of 40 is below Grand Rapids's whole-year median of 51, making it one of the area's cleaner periods. Nationally, the median October AQI across every EPA metro area (102,872 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 38, so Grand Rapids runs in line with the national October norm; 0.0% of its October days topped AQI 100 versus 1.3% nationally (below average).
October is part of Grand Rapids's fall season (September, October, November); the fall page pools all three months.
Activity-specific thresholds: running, cycling, kids' sports.
Right now in Grand Rapids
The latest EPA AirNow observation puts Grand Rapids's AQI at 53 (PM2.5). The figures above are multi-year month statistics, not today's reading.
View current Grand Rapids air quality →Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) pre-generated Daily AQI by CBSA files — daily AQI by CBSA (Grand Rapids-Wyoming, 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.