Columbia Air Quality in December
Across 2019–2025, Columbia's December air quality had a median AQI of 45 (Good) over 217 monitored days in the Columbia, SC area. 0.0% of December days (0 of 217) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 81.1% of days. The cleanest December on record here was 2023 (median AQI 33, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2025 (median 53, 0 days above 100, peak AQI 89).
- Good: 56.2%
- Moderate: 43.8%
- 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 December?
Good on a typical day: median AQI 45 across 2019–2025, with 0.0% of December days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓56.2% of December days were Good (AQI 0–50), 43.8% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓0 days of 217 reached AQI 101+; the December peak was 94.
- ✓Best December: 2023; worst December: 2025.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Columbia in December?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Columbia in December was 45 (Good). 56.2% of days were Good, 43.8% Moderate, and 0.0% reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, based on 217 monitored days in EPA's Air Quality System.
Is December a good time for outdoor exercise in Columbia?▾
A typical December day in Columbia sits in the Good range (median AQI 45), so running, cycling and children's outdoor play are fine for everyone on most days; fewer than 1% of December days reached AQI 101+ in 2019–2025.
Which pollutant causes Columbia's December air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 81.1% of December days in Columbia. The highest December AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 94 (Moderate), in 2025.
Columbia December air quality, year by year
Columbia December air quality by year (Columbia, SC, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 31 | 36 | 0 | 59 | PM2.5 |
| 2020 | 31 | 51 | 0 | 71 | PM2.5 |
| 2021 | 31 | 51 | 0 | 94 | PM2.5 |
| 2022 | 31 | 50 | 0 | 75 | PM2.5 |
| 2023cleanest | 31 | 33 | 0 | 63 | PM2.5 |
| 2024 | 31 | 43 | 0 | 67 | PM2.5 |
| 2025worst | 31 | 53 | 0 | 89 | PM2.5 |
What December air means in Columbia
A typical December day in Columbia sits in the Good range (median AQI 45), so running, cycling and children's outdoor play are fine for everyone on most days; fewer than 1% of December days reached AQI 101+ in 2019–2025.
December's median AQI of 45 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 December AQI across every EPA metro area (95,590 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 39, so Columbia runs above the national December norm; 0.0% of its December days topped AQI 100 versus 0.7% nationally (about the same).
December is part of Columbia's winter season (December, January, February); the winter 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.