Columbus Air Quality in September
Across 2019–2025, Columbus's September air quality had a median AQI of 49 (Good) over 210 monitored days in the Columbus, OH area. 2.4% of September days (5 of 210) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 54.3% of days. The cleanest September on record here was 2022 (median AQI 39, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2025 (median 67, 4 days above 100, peak AQI 112).
- Good: 54.8%
- Moderate: 42.9%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 2.4%
- 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 September?
Good on a typical day: median AQI 49 across 2019–2025, with 2.4% of September days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓54.8% of September days were Good (AQI 0–50), 42.9% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓5 days of 210 reached AQI 101+; the September peak was 112.
- ✓Best September: 2022; worst September: 2025.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Columbus in September?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Columbus in September was 49 (Good). 54.8% of days were Good, 42.9% Moderate, and 2.4% reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, based on 210 monitored days in EPA's Air Quality System.
Is September a good time for outdoor exercise in Columbus?▾
A typical September 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; about 1 day in 42 of September days (2.4%) reached AQI 101+ in 2019–2025.
Which pollutant causes Columbus's September air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 54.3% of September days in Columbus. The highest September AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 112 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups), in 2025.
Columbus September air quality, year by year
Columbus September air quality by year (Columbus, OH, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 30 | 50 | 0 | 80 | O3 |
| 2020 | 30 | 41 | 0 | 61 | O3 |
| 2021 | 30 | 46 | 0 | 77 | O3 |
| 2022cleanest | 30 | 39 | 0 | 65 | PM2.5 |
| 2023 | 30 | 53 | 0 | 63 | PM2.5 |
| 2024 | 30 | 49 | 1 | 105 | PM2.5 |
| 2025worst | 30 | 67 | 4 | 112 | PM2.5 |
What September air means in Columbus
A typical September 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; about 1 day in 42 of September days (2.4%) reached AQI 101+ in 2019–2025.
September'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 September AQI across every EPA metro area (100,699 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 43, so Columbus runs above the national September norm; 2.4% of its September days topped AQI 100 versus 2.7% nationally (about the same).
September 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.