Pittsburgh Air Quality in August
Across 2019–2025, Pittsburgh's August air quality had a median AQI of 59 (Moderate) over 217 monitored days in the Pittsburgh, PA area. 2.8% of August days (6 of 217) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 65.9% of days. The cleanest August on record here was 2023 (median AQI 56, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2024 (median 59, 3 days above 100, peak AQI 112).
- Good: 24.4%
- Moderate: 72.8%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 2.8%
- Unhealthy or worse: 0.0%
Extra Protection for Pittsburgh Homes
Air quality in Pittsburgh is moderate (AQI 56), 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
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
How is the air in Pittsburgh in August?
Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 59 across 2019–2025, with 2.8% of August days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓24.4% of August days were Good (AQI 0–50), 72.8% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓6 days of 217 reached AQI 101+; the August peak was 122.
- ✓Best August: 2023; worst August: 2024.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Pittsburgh in August?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Pittsburgh in August was 59 (Moderate). 24.4% of days were Good, 72.8% Moderate, and 2.8% 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 Pittsburgh?▾
A typical August day in Pittsburgh is Moderate (median AQI 59): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 36 of August days (2.8%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
Which pollutant causes Pittsburgh's August air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 65.9% of August days in Pittsburgh. The highest August AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 122 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups), in 2024.
Pittsburgh August air quality, year by year
Pittsburgh August air quality by year (Pittsburgh, PA, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 31 | 60 | 0 | 80 | PM2.5 |
| 2020 | 31 | 58 | 2 | 122 | O3 |
| 2021 | 31 | 64 | 1 | 105 | PM2.5 |
| 2022 | 31 | 57 | 0 | 84 | PM2.5 |
| 2023cleanest | 31 | 56 | 0 | 89 | PM2.5 |
| 2024worst | 31 | 59 | 3 | 112 | O3 |
| 2025 | 31 | 59 | 0 | 96 | O3 |
What August air means in Pittsburgh
A typical August day in Pittsburgh is Moderate (median AQI 59): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 36 of August days (2.8%) 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 59 is in line with Pittsburgh's whole-year median of 58, 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 Pittsburgh runs above the national August norm; 2.8% of its August days topped AQI 100 versus 3.5% nationally (about the same).
August is part of Pittsburgh's summer season (June, July, August); the summer page pools all three months.
Activity-specific thresholds: running, cycling, kids' sports.
Right now in Pittsburgh
The latest EPA AirNow observation puts Pittsburgh's AQI at 56 (PM2.5). The figures above are multi-year month statistics, not today's reading.
View current Pittsburgh air quality →Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) pre-generated Daily AQI by CBSA files — daily AQI by CBSA (Pittsburgh, PA), 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.