Columbia Air Quality in October
Across 2019–2025, Columbia's October air quality had a median AQI of 41 (Good) over 217 monitored days in the Columbia, SC area. 0.0% of October days (0 of 217) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 57.6% of days. The cleanest October on record here was 2019 (median AQI 38, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2024 (median 47, 0 days above 100, peak AQI 67).
- Good: 71.4%
- Moderate: 28.6%
- 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 October?
Good on a typical day: median AQI 41 across 2019–2025, with 0.0% of October days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓71.4% of October days were Good (AQI 0–50), 28.6% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓0 days of 217 reached AQI 101+; the October peak was 67.
- ✓Best October: 2019; worst October: 2024.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Columbia in October?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Columbia in October was 41 (Good). 71.4% of days were Good, 28.6% Moderate, and 0.0% 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 Columbia?▾
A typical October day in Columbia sits in the Good range (median AQI 41), so running, cycling and children's outdoor play are fine for everyone on most days; fewer than 1% of October days reached AQI 101+ in 2019–2025.
Which pollutant causes Columbia's October air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 57.6% of October days in Columbia. The highest October AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 67 (Moderate), in 2024.
Columbia October air quality, year by year
Columbia October air quality by year (Columbia, SC, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019cleanest | 31 | 38 | 0 | 67 | O3 |
| 2020 | 31 | 41 | 0 | 67 | PM2.5 |
| 2021 | 31 | 40 | 0 | 59 | PM2.5 |
| 2022 | 31 | 47 | 0 | 58 | PM2.5 |
| 2023 | 31 | 39 | 0 | 63 | O3 |
| 2024worst | 31 | 47 | 0 | 67 | PM2.5 |
| 2025 | 31 | 38 | 0 | 54 | O3 |
What October air means in Columbia
A typical October day in Columbia sits in the Good range (median AQI 41), so running, cycling and children's outdoor play are fine for everyone on most days; fewer than 1% of October days reached AQI 101+ in 2019–2025.
October's median AQI of 41 is below Columbia's whole-year median of 47, 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 Columbia runs in line with the national October norm; 0.0% of its October days topped AQI 100 versus 1.3% nationally (below average).
October is part of Columbia's fall season (September, October, November); the fall 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.