Memphis Air Quality in September
Across 2019–2025, Memphis's September air quality had a median AQI of 56 (Moderate) over 210 monitored days in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR area. 4.3% of September days (9 of 210) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 65.7% of days. The cleanest September on record here was 2020 (median AQI 49, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2025 (median 66, 4 days above 100, peak AQI 147).
- Good: 26.7%
- Moderate: 69.0%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 4.3%
- Unhealthy or worse: 0.0%
Extra Protection for Memphis Homes
Air quality in Memphis is moderate (AQI 57), 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 Memphis in September?
Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 56 across 2019–2025, with 4.3% of September days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓26.7% of September days were Good (AQI 0–50), 69.0% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓9 days of 210 reached AQI 101+; the September peak was 147.
- ✓Best September: 2020; worst September: 2025.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Memphis in September?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Memphis in September was 56 (Moderate). 26.7% of days were Good, 69.0% Moderate, and 4.3% reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, based on 210 monitored days in EPA's Air Quality System.
Is September a good time for outdoor exercise in Memphis?▾
A typical September day in Memphis is Moderate (median AQI 56): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 23 of September days (4.3%) 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 September air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 65.7% of September days in Memphis. The highest September AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 147 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups), in 2025.
Memphis September air quality, year by year
Memphis September air quality by year (Memphis, TN-MS-AR, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 30 | 63 | 2 | 136 | O3 |
| 2020cleanest | 30 | 49 | 0 | 71 | PM2.5 |
| 2021 | 30 | 54 | 1 | 101 | PM2.5 |
| 2022 | 30 | 55 | 1 | 101 | PM2.5 |
| 2023 | 30 | 63 | 0 | 93 | PM2.5 |
| 2024 | 30 | 57 | 1 | 112 | PM2.5 |
| 2025worst | 30 | 66 | 4 | 147 | O3 |
What September air means in Memphis
A typical September day in Memphis is Moderate (median AQI 56): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 23 of September days (4.3%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
September's median AQI of 56 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 September AQI across every EPA metro area (100,699 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 43, so Memphis runs above the national September norm; 4.3% of its September days topped AQI 100 versus 2.7% nationally (above average).
September is part of Memphis's fall season (September, October, November); the fall 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.