Raleigh Air Quality in July
Across 2019–2025, Raleigh's July air quality had a median AQI of 53 (Moderate) over 217 monitored days in the Raleigh, NC area. 0.5% of July days (1 of 217) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 81.6% of days. The cleanest July on record here was 2025 (median AQI 50, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2023 (median 55, 1 day above 100, peak AQI 126).
- Good: 37.3%
- Moderate: 62.2%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 0.5%
- Unhealthy or worse: 0.0%
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How is the air in Raleigh in July?
Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 53 across 2019–2025, with 0.5% of July days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓37.3% of July days were Good (AQI 0–50), 62.2% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓1 day of 217 reached AQI 101+; the July peak was 126.
- ✓Best July: 2025; worst July: 2023.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Raleigh in July?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Raleigh in July was 53 (Moderate). 37.3% of days were Good, 62.2% Moderate, and 0.5% reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, based on 217 monitored days in EPA's Air Quality System.
Is July a good time for outdoor exercise in Raleigh?▾
A typical July day in Raleigh is Moderate (median AQI 53): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and fewer than 1% of July 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 Raleigh's July air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 81.6% of July days in Raleigh. The highest July AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 126 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups), in 2023.
Raleigh July air quality, year by year
Raleigh July air quality by year (Raleigh, NC, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 31 | 55 | 0 | 87 | PM2.5 |
| 2020 | 31 | 54 | 0 | 78 | PM2.5 |
| 2021 | 31 | 58 | 0 | 96 | PM2.5 |
| 2022 | 31 | 52 | 0 | 77 | PM2.5 |
| 2023worst | 31 | 55 | 1 | 126 | PM2.5 |
| 2024 | 31 | 52 | 0 | 93 | PM2.5 |
| 2025cleanest | 31 | 50 | 0 | 64 | PM2.5 |
What July air means in Raleigh
A typical July day in Raleigh is Moderate (median AQI 53): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and fewer than 1% of July days reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
July's median AQI of 53 is above Raleigh's whole-year median of 48, making it one of the area's dirtier periods. Nationally, the median July AQI across every EPA metro area (103,858 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 47, so Raleigh runs above the national July norm; 0.5% of its July days topped AQI 100 versus 3.6% nationally (below average).
July is part of Raleigh's summer season (June, July, August); the summer page pools all three months.
Activity-specific thresholds: running, cycling, kids' sports.
Right now in Raleigh
The latest EPA AirNow observation puts Raleigh's AQI at 47 (PM2.5). The figures above are multi-year month statistics, not today's reading.
View current Raleigh air quality →Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) pre-generated Daily AQI by CBSA files — daily AQI by CBSA (Raleigh, NC), 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.