Pittsburgh Air Quality in May
Across 2019–2025, Pittsburgh's May air quality had a median AQI of 54 (Moderate) over 217 monitored days in the Pittsburgh, PA area. 1.4% of May days (3 of 217) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 50.7% of days. The cleanest May on record here was 2020 (median AQI 46, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2023 (median 64, 1 day above 100, peak AQI 114).
- Good: 41.9%
- Moderate: 56.7%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 1.4%
- 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.
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How is the air in Pittsburgh in May?
Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 54 across 2019–2025, with 1.4% of May days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓41.9% of May days were Good (AQI 0–50), 56.7% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓3 days of 217 reached AQI 101+; the May peak was 114.
- ✓Best May: 2020; worst May: 2023.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Pittsburgh in May?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Pittsburgh in May was 54 (Moderate). 41.9% of days were Good, 56.7% Moderate, and 1.4% reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, based on 217 monitored days in EPA's Air Quality System.
Is May a good time for outdoor exercise in Pittsburgh?▾
A typical May day in Pittsburgh is Moderate (median AQI 54): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 71 of May days (1.4%) 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 May air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 50.7% of May days in Pittsburgh. The highest May AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 114 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups), in 2023.
Pittsburgh May air quality, year by year
Pittsburgh May air quality by year (Pittsburgh, PA, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 31 | 61 | 0 | 87 | PM2.5 |
| 2020cleanest | 31 | 46 | 0 | 66 | PM2.5 |
| 2021 | 31 | 58 | 1 | 105 | PM2.5 |
| 2022 | 31 | 57 | 0 | 84 | PM2.5 |
| 2023worst | 31 | 64 | 1 | 114 | PM2.5 |
| 2024 | 31 | 54 | 0 | 100 | O3 |
| 2025 | 31 | 44 | 1 | 105 | O3 |
What May air means in Pittsburgh
A typical May day in Pittsburgh is Moderate (median AQI 54): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 71 of May days (1.4%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
May's median AQI of 54 is below Pittsburgh's whole-year median of 58, making it one of the area's cleaner periods. Nationally, the median May AQI across every EPA metro area (104,064 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 44, so Pittsburgh runs above the national May norm; 1.4% of its May days topped AQI 100 versus 1.3% nationally (about the same).
May is part of Pittsburgh's spring season (March, April, May); the spring 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.