Columbus Air Quality in October
Across 2019–2025, Columbus's October air quality had a median AQI of 49 (Good) over 217 monitored days in the Columbus, OH area. 0.9% of October days (2 of 217) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 76.0% of days. The cleanest October on record here was 2020 (median AQI 40, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2024 (median 66, 2 days above 100, peak AQI 118).
- Good: 52.1%
- Moderate: 47.0%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 0.9%
- 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 October?
Good on a typical day: median AQI 49 across 2019–2025, with 0.9% of October days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓52.1% of October days were Good (AQI 0–50), 47.0% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓2 days of 217 reached AQI 101+; the October peak was 118.
- ✓Best October: 2020; worst October: 2024.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Columbus in October?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Columbus in October was 49 (Good). 52.1% of days were Good, 47.0% Moderate, and 0.9% reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, based on 217 monitored days in EPA's Air Quality System.
Is October a good time for outdoor exercise in Columbus?▾
A typical October day in Columbus sits in the Good range (median AQI 49), so running, cycling and children's outdoor play are fine for everyone on most days; fewer than 1% of October days reached AQI 101+ in 2019–2025.
Which pollutant causes Columbus's October air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 76.0% of October days in Columbus. The highest October AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 118 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups), in 2024.
Columbus October air quality, year by year
Columbus October air quality by year (Columbus, OH, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 31 | 49 | 0 | 64 | PM2.5 |
| 2020cleanest | 31 | 40 | 0 | 58 | PM2.5 |
| 2021 | 31 | 47 | 0 | 59 | PM2.5 |
| 2022 | 31 | 41 | 0 | 67 | PM2.5 |
| 2023 | 31 | 53 | 0 | 72 | PM2.5 |
| 2024worst | 31 | 66 | 2 | 118 | PM2.5 |
| 2025 | 31 | 42 | 0 | 83 | PM2.5 |
What October air means in Columbus
A typical October day in Columbus sits in the Good range (median AQI 49), so running, cycling and children's outdoor play are fine for everyone on most days; fewer than 1% of October days reached AQI 101+ in 2019–2025.
October's median AQI of 49 is below Columbus's whole-year median of 53, making it one of the area's cleaner periods. Nationally, the median October AQI across every EPA metro area (102,872 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 38, so Columbus runs above the national October norm; 0.9% of its October days topped AQI 100 versus 1.3% nationally (about the same).
October is part of Columbus's fall season (September, October, November); the fall 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.