Columbus Air Quality in August
Across 2019–2025, Columbus's August air quality had a median AQI of 52 (Moderate) over 217 monitored days in the Columbus, OH area. 0.5% of August days (1 of 217) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 55.8% of days. The cleanest August on record here was 2022 (median AQI 43, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2024 (median 57, 1 day above 100, peak AQI 105).
- Good: 45.6%
- Moderate: 53.9%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 0.5%
- Unhealthy or worse: 0.0%
Extra Protection for Columbus Homes
Air quality in Columbus is moderate (AQI 58), 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 Columbus in August?
Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 52 across 2019–2025, with 0.5% of August days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓45.6% of August days were Good (AQI 0–50), 53.9% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓1 day of 217 reached AQI 101+; the August peak was 105.
- ✓Best August: 2022; worst August: 2024.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Columbus in August?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Columbus in August was 52 (Moderate). 45.6% of days were Good, 53.9% Moderate, and 0.5% 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 Columbus?▾
A typical August day in Columbus is Moderate (median AQI 52): 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 Columbus's August air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 55.8% of August days in Columbus. The highest August AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 105 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups), in 2024.
Columbus August air quality, year by year
Columbus August air quality by year (Columbus, OH, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 31 | 51 | 0 | 84 | O3 |
| 2020 | 31 | 47 | 0 | 93 | O3 |
| 2021 | 31 | 53 | 0 | 100 | PM2.5 |
| 2022cleanest | 31 | 43 | 0 | 74 | O3 |
| 2023 | 31 | 57 | 0 | 97 | PM2.5 |
| 2024worst | 31 | 57 | 1 | 105 | PM2.5 |
| 2025 | 31 | 54 | 0 | 84 | PM2.5 |
What August air means in Columbus
A typical August day in Columbus is Moderate (median AQI 52): 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 52 is in line with Columbus's whole-year median of 53, 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 Columbus runs above the national August norm; 0.5% of its August days topped AQI 100 versus 3.5% nationally (below average).
August is part of Columbus's summer season (June, July, August); the summer page pools all three months.
Activity-specific thresholds: running, cycling, kids' sports.
Right now in Columbus
The latest EPA AirNow observation puts Columbus's AQI at 58 (PM2.5). The figures above are multi-year month statistics, not today's reading.
View current Columbus air quality →Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) pre-generated Daily AQI by CBSA files — daily AQI by CBSA (Columbus, OH), 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.