Memphis Air Quality in July

Across 2019–2025, Memphis's July air quality had a median AQI of 55 (Moderate) over 217 monitored days in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR area. 4.2% of July days (9 of 217) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 59.0% of days. The cleanest July on record here was 2025 (median AQI 47, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2022 (median 55, 5 days above 100, peak AQI 159).

55
Median AQI
Moderate
4.2%
Days above AQI 100
9 of 217 days
83
90th percentile AQI
worst 1 day in 10
159
Peak AQI
Unhealthy
PM2.5
Main pollutant
59.0% of days
32.3%
Good days
70 of 217
  • Good: 32.3%
  • Moderate: 63.6%
  • Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 2.8%
  • Unhealthy or worse: 1.4%

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QUICK ANSWER

How is the air in Memphis in July?

Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 55 across 2019–2025, with 4.2% of July days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.

  • 32.3% of July days were Good (AQI 0–50), 63.6% Moderate (51–100).
  • 9 days of 217 reached AQI 101+; the July peak was 159.
  • Best July: 2025; worst July: 2022.

Frequently asked questions

What is the air quality like in Memphis in July?

Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Memphis in July was 55 (Moderate). 32.3% of days were Good, 63.6% Moderate, and 4.2% reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, based on 217 monitored days in EPA's Air Quality System.

Is July a good time for outdoor exercise in Memphis?

A typical July day in Memphis is Moderate (median AQI 55): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 24 of July days (4.2%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.

Which pollutant causes Memphis's July air quality problems?

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 59.0% of July days in Memphis. The highest July AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 159 (Unhealthy), in 2022.

Memphis July air quality, year by year

Memphis July air quality by year (Memphis, TN-MS-AR, EPA AQS daily AQI)

YearDays monitoredMedian AQIDays above 100Peak AQIMain pollutant
20193153077PM2.5
202031541153PM2.5
202131581150PM2.5
2022worst31555159O3
20233158093O3
202431632112PM2.5
2025cleanest3147090O3

What July air means in Memphis

A typical July day in Memphis is Moderate (median AQI 55): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 24 of July days (4.2%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.

July's median AQI of 55 is in line with Memphis's whole-year median of 53, so this period is neither a clean nor a dirty stretch for the area. Nationally, the median July AQI across every EPA metro area (103,858 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 47, so Memphis runs above the national July norm; 4.2% of its July days topped AQI 100 versus 3.6% nationally (about the same).

July is part of Memphis's summer season (June, July, August); the summer page pools all three months.

Activity-specific thresholds: running, cycling, kids' sports.

Right now in Memphis

The latest EPA AirNow observation puts Memphis's AQI at 57 (PM2.5). The figures above are multi-year month statistics, not today's reading.

View current Memphis air quality →

Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) pre-generated Daily AQI by CBSA files — daily AQI by CBSA (Memphis, TN-MS-AR), 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.