Columbia Air Quality in August
Across 2019–2025, Columbia's August air quality had a median AQI of 49 (Good) over 217 monitored days in the Columbia, SC area. 0.0% of August days (0 of 217) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 78.8% of days. The cleanest August on record here was 2022 (median AQI 41, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2021 (median 57, 0 days above 100, peak AQI 69).
- Good: 54.4%
- Moderate: 45.6%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 0.0%
- Unhealthy or worse: 0.0%
Extra Protection for Columbia Homes
Air quality in Columbia is moderate (AQI 52), 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 Columbia in August?
Good on a typical day: median AQI 49 across 2019–2025, with 0.0% of August days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓54.4% of August days were Good (AQI 0–50), 45.6% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓0 days of 217 reached AQI 101+; the August peak was 87.
- ✓Best August: 2022; worst August: 2021.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Columbia in August?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Columbia in August was 49 (Good). 54.4% of days were Good, 45.6% Moderate, and 0.0% 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 Columbia?▾
A typical August day in Columbia 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 August days reached AQI 101+ in 2019–2025.
Which pollutant causes Columbia's August air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 78.8% of August days in Columbia. The highest August AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 87 (Moderate), in 2021.
Columbia August air quality, year by year
Columbia August air quality by year (Columbia, SC, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 31 | 51 | 0 | 74 | PM2.5 |
| 2020 | 31 | 48 | 0 | 66 | PM2.5 |
| 2021worst | 31 | 57 | 0 | 69 | PM2.5 |
| 2022cleanest | 31 | 41 | 0 | 55 | PM2.5 |
| 2023 | 31 | 54 | 0 | 87 | PM2.5 |
| 2024 | 31 | 53 | 0 | 66 | PM2.5 |
| 2025 | 31 | 42 | 0 | 67 | PM2.5 |
What August air means in Columbia
A typical August day in Columbia 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 August days reached AQI 101+ in 2019–2025.
August's median AQI of 49 is in line with Columbia's whole-year median of 47, 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 Columbia runs above the national August norm; 0.0% of its August days topped AQI 100 versus 3.5% nationally (below average).
August is part of Columbia's summer season (June, July, August); the summer page pools all three months.
Activity-specific thresholds: running, cycling, kids' sports.
Right now in Columbia
The latest EPA AirNow observation puts Columbia's AQI at 52 (PM2.5). The figures above are multi-year month statistics, not today's reading.
View current Columbia air quality →Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) pre-generated Daily AQI by CBSA files — daily AQI by CBSA (Columbia, SC), 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.