Grand Rapids Air Quality in Winter
Across 2019–2025, Grand Rapids's winter (December–February) air quality had a median AQI of 47 (Good) over 632 monitored days in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI area. 0.0% of winter days (0 of 632) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 77.7% of days. The cleanest winter on record here was 2020 (median AQI 35, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2021 (median 54, 0 days above 100, peak AQI 88).
- Good: 56.0%
- Moderate: 44.0%
- 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 winter?
Good on a typical day: median AQI 47 across 2019–2025, with 0.0% of winter days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓56.0% of winter days were Good (AQI 0–50), 44.0% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓0 days of 632 reached AQI 101+; the winter peak was 96.
- ✓Cleanest month: December; worst month: February.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Grand Rapids in winter?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Grand Rapids in winter was 47 (Good). 56.0% of days were Good, 44.0% Moderate, and 0.0% 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 Grand Rapids?▾
A typical winter day in Grand Rapids sits in the Good range (median AQI 47), so running, cycling and children's outdoor play are fine for everyone on most days; fewer than 1% of winter days reached AQI 101+ in 2019–2025.
Which pollutant causes Grand Rapids's winter air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 77.7% of winter days in Grand Rapids. The highest winter AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 96 (Moderate), in 2021.
Grand Rapids winter air quality, year by year
Grand Rapids winter air quality by year (Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 90 | 40 | 0 | 90 | PM2.5 |
| 2020cleanest | 91 | 35 | 0 | 65 | PM2.5 |
| 2021worst | 90 | 54 | 0 | 88 | PM2.5 |
| 2022 | 90 | 52 | 0 | 96 | PM2.5 |
| 2023 | 90 | 49 | 0 | 85 | PM2.5 |
| 2024 | 91 | 52 | 0 | 91 | PM2.5 |
| 2025 | 90 | 50 | 0 | 78 | PM2.5 |
What winter air means in Grand Rapids
A typical winter day in Grand Rapids sits in the Good range (median AQI 47), so running, cycling and children's outdoor play are fine for everyone on most days; fewer than 1% of winter days reached AQI 101+ in 2019–2025.
Winter's median AQI of 47 is below Grand Rapids's whole-year median of 51, making it one of the area's cleaner periods. Nationally, the median Winter AQI across every EPA metro area (278,620 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 40, so Grand Rapids runs above the national Winter norm; 0.0% of its Winter days topped AQI 100 versus 0.6% nationally (about the same).
Within the season, December is the cleanest month (median AQI 46, 0.0% of days above 100) and February the worst (median 48, 0.0% 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.