Pittsburgh Air Quality in October
Across 2019–2025, Pittsburgh's October air quality had a median AQI of 53 (Moderate) over 217 monitored days in the Pittsburgh, PA area. 1.8% of October days (4 of 217) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 75.1% of days. The cleanest October on record here was 2025 (median AQI 41, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2022 (median 59, 3 days above 100, peak AQI 117).
- Good: 46.5%
- Moderate: 51.6%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 1.8%
- 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.
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How is the air in Pittsburgh in October?
Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 53 across 2019–2025, with 1.8% of October days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓46.5% of October days were Good (AQI 0–50), 51.6% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓4 days of 217 reached AQI 101+; the October peak was 117.
- ✓Best October: 2025; worst October: 2022.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Pittsburgh in October?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Pittsburgh in October was 53 (Moderate). 46.5% of days were Good, 51.6% Moderate, and 1.8% 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 Pittsburgh?▾
A typical October day in Pittsburgh is Moderate (median AQI 53): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 56 of October days (1.8%) 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 October air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 75.1% of October days in Pittsburgh. The highest October AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 117 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups), in 2022.
Pittsburgh October air quality, year by year
Pittsburgh October air quality by year (Pittsburgh, PA, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 31 | 57 | 0 | 95 | PM2.5 |
| 2020 | 31 | 55 | 0 | 77 | PM2.5 |
| 2021 | 31 | 48 | 0 | 90 | PM2.5 |
| 2022worst | 31 | 59 | 3 | 117 | PM2.5 |
| 2023 | 31 | 44 | 0 | 84 | PM2.5 |
| 2024 | 31 | 54 | 1 | 107 | PM2.5 |
| 2025cleanest | 31 | 41 | 0 | 97 | O3 |
What October air means in Pittsburgh
A typical October day in Pittsburgh is Moderate (median AQI 53): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 56 of October days (1.8%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
October's median AQI of 53 is below Pittsburgh's whole-year median of 58, 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 Pittsburgh runs above the national October norm; 1.8% of its October days topped AQI 100 versus 1.3% nationally (about the same).
October is part of Pittsburgh's fall season (September, October, November); the fall 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.