Grand Rapids Air Quality in Summer
Across 2019–2025, Grand Rapids's summer (June–August) air quality had a median AQI of 55 (Moderate) over 644 monitored days in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI area. 5.4% of summer days (35 of 644) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 55.4% of days. The cleanest summer on record here was 2019 (median AQI 49, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2023 (median 66, 11 days above 100, peak AQI 227).
- Good: 36.3%
- Moderate: 58.2%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 4.2%
- Unhealthy or worse: 1.2%
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 summer?
Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 55 across 2019–2025, with 5.4% of summer days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓36.3% of summer days were Good (AQI 0–50), 58.2% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓35 days of 644 reached AQI 101+; the summer peak was 227.
- ✓Cleanest month: August; worst month: June.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Grand Rapids in summer?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Grand Rapids in summer was 55 (Moderate). 36.3% of days were Good, 58.2% Moderate, and 5.4% reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, based on 644 monitored days in EPA's Air Quality System.
Is summer a good time for outdoor exercise in Grand Rapids?▾
A typical summer day in Grand Rapids is Moderate (median AQI 55): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 19 of summer days (5.4%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
Which pollutant causes Grand Rapids's summer air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 55.4% of summer days in Grand Rapids. The highest summer AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 227 (Very Unhealthy), in 2023.
Grand Rapids summer air quality, year by year
Grand Rapids summer 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 | 92 | 49 | 0 | 90 | O3 |
| 2020 | 92 | 51 | 8 | 154 | O3 |
| 2021 | 92 | 57 | 3 | 108 | PM2.5 |
| 2022 | 92 | 50 | 4 | 164 | O3 |
| 2023worst | 92 | 66 | 11 | 227 | PM2.5 |
| 2024 | 92 | 55 | 1 | 112 | PM2.5 |
| 2025 | 92 | 61 | 8 | 163 | PM2.5 |
What summer air means in Grand Rapids
A typical summer day in Grand Rapids is Moderate (median AQI 55): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 19 of summer days (5.4%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
Summer's median AQI of 55 is above Grand Rapids's whole-year median of 51, making it one of the area's dirtier periods. Nationally, the median Summer AQI across every EPA metro area (308,645 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 46, so Grand Rapids runs above the national Summer norm; 5.4% of its Summer days topped AQI 100 versus 3.6% nationally (above average).
Within the season, August is the cleanest month (median AQI 52, 2.3% of days above 100) and June the worst (median 58, 11.0% above 100).
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 season 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.