Winston-Salem Air Quality in August
Across 2019–2025, Winston-Salem's August air quality had a median AQI of 53 (Moderate) over 217 monitored days in the Winston-Salem, NC area. 0.9% of August days (2 of 217) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 69.1% of days. The cleanest August on record here was 2022 (median AQI 47, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2024 (median 54, 2 days above 100, peak AQI 112).
- Good: 38.2%
- Moderate: 60.8%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 0.9%
- Unhealthy or worse: 0.0%
Extra Protection for Winston-Salem Homes
Air quality in Winston-Salem is moderate (AQI 52), 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 Winston-Salem in August?
Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 53 across 2019–2025, with 0.9% of August days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓38.2% of August days were Good (AQI 0–50), 60.8% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓2 days of 217 reached AQI 101+; the August peak was 112.
- ✓Best August: 2022; worst August: 2024.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Winston-Salem in August?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Winston-Salem in August was 53 (Moderate). 38.2% of days were Good, 60.8% Moderate, and 0.9% reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, based on 217 monitored days in EPA's Air Quality System.
Is August a good time for outdoor exercise in Winston-Salem?▾
A typical August day in Winston-Salem 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 August 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 Winston-Salem's August air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 69.1% of August days in Winston-Salem. The highest August AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 112 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups), in 2024.
Winston-Salem August air quality, year by year
Winston-Salem August air quality by year (Winston-Salem, NC, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 31 | 53 | 0 | 90 | PM2.5 |
| 2020 | 31 | 56 | 0 | 97 | PM2.5 |
| 2021 | 31 | 58 | 0 | 90 | PM2.5 |
| 2022cleanest | 31 | 47 | 0 | 58 | PM2.5 |
| 2023 | 31 | 52 | 0 | 93 | PM2.5 |
| 2024worst | 31 | 54 | 2 | 112 | O3 |
| 2025 | 31 | 51 | 0 | 90 | PM2.5 |
What August air means in Winston-Salem
A typical August day in Winston-Salem 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 August days reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
August's median AQI of 53 is in line with Winston-Salem's whole-year median of 50, so this period is neither a clean nor a dirty stretch for the area. Nationally, the median August AQI across every EPA metro area (104,152 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 45, so Winston-Salem runs above the national August norm; 0.9% of its August days topped AQI 100 versus 3.5% nationally (below average).
August is part of Winston-Salem's summer season (June, July, August); the summer page pools all three months.
Activity-specific thresholds: running, cycling, kids' sports.
Right now in Winston-Salem
The latest EPA AirNow observation puts Winston-Salem's AQI at 52 (PM2.5). The figures above are multi-year month statistics, not today's reading.
View current Winston-Salem air quality →Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) pre-generated Daily AQI by CBSA files — daily AQI by CBSA (Winston-Salem, 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.