Columbia Air Quality in Fall
Across 2019–2025, Columbia's fall (September–November) air quality had a median AQI of 43 (Good) over 637 monitored days in the Columbia, SC area. 0.0% of fall days (0 of 637) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 68.4% of days. The cleanest fall on record here was 2020 (median AQI 40, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2019 (median 46, 0 days above 100, peak AQI 93).
- Good: 66.4%
- Moderate: 33.6%
- 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 fall?
Good on a typical day: median AQI 43 across 2019–2025, with 0.0% of fall days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓66.4% of fall days were Good (AQI 0–50), 33.6% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓0 days of 637 reached AQI 101+; the fall peak was 93.
- ✓Cleanest month: October; worst month: September.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Columbia in fall?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Columbia in fall was 43 (Good). 66.4% of days were Good, 33.6% Moderate, and 0.0% reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, based on 637 monitored days in EPA's Air Quality System.
Is fall a good time for outdoor exercise in Columbia?▾
A typical fall day in Columbia sits in the Good range (median AQI 43), so running, cycling and children's outdoor play are fine for everyone on most days; fewer than 1% of fall days reached AQI 101+ in 2019–2025.
Which pollutant causes Columbia's fall air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 68.4% of fall days in Columbia. The highest fall AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 93 (Moderate), in 2019.
Columbia fall air quality, year by year
Columbia fall air quality by year (Columbia, SC, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019worst | 91 | 46 | 0 | 93 | PM2.5 |
| 2020cleanest | 91 | 40 | 0 | 70 | PM2.5 |
| 2021 | 91 | 43 | 0 | 71 | PM2.5 |
| 2022 | 91 | 43 | 0 | 59 | PM2.5 |
| 2023 | 91 | 42 | 0 | 74 | PM2.5 |
| 2024 | 91 | 43 | 0 | 67 | PM2.5 |
| 2025 | 91 | 44 | 0 | 76 | PM2.5 |
What fall air means in Columbia
A typical fall day in Columbia sits in the Good range (median AQI 43), so running, cycling and children's outdoor play are fine for everyone on most days; fewer than 1% of fall days reached AQI 101+ in 2019–2025.
Fall's median AQI of 43 is below Columbia's whole-year median of 47, making it one of the area's cleaner periods. Nationally, the median Fall AQI across every EPA metro area (296,275 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 40, so Columbia runs in line with the national Fall norm; 0.0% of its Fall days topped AQI 100 versus 1.5% nationally (below average).
Within the season, October is the cleanest month (median AQI 41, 0.0% of days above 100) and September the worst (median 45, 0.0% above 100).
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 season 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.