Richmond Air Quality in July
Across 2019–2025, Richmond's July air quality had a median AQI of 52 (Moderate) over 217 monitored days in the Richmond, VA area. 1.4% of July days (3 of 217) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 56.2% of days. The cleanest July on record here was 2022 (median AQI 48, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2021 (median 59, 2 days above 100, peak AQI 112).
- Good: 46.1%
- Moderate: 52.5%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 1.4%
- Unhealthy or worse: 0.0%
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How is the air in Richmond in July?
Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 52 across 2019–2025, with 1.4% of July days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓46.1% of July days were Good (AQI 0–50), 52.5% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓3 days of 217 reached AQI 101+; the July peak was 112.
- ✓Best July: 2022; worst July: 2021.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Richmond in July?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Richmond in July was 52 (Moderate). 46.1% of days were Good, 52.5% Moderate, and 1.4% 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 Richmond?▾
A typical July day in Richmond is Moderate (median AQI 52): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 71 of July days (1.4%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
Which pollutant causes Richmond's July air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 56.2% of July days in Richmond. The highest July AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 112 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups), in 2021.
Richmond July air quality, year by year
Richmond July air quality by year (Richmond, VA, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 31 | 58 | 0 | 90 | O3 |
| 2020 | 31 | 51 | 0 | 71 | PM2.5 |
| 2021worst | 31 | 59 | 2 | 112 | PM2.5 |
| 2022cleanest | 31 | 48 | 0 | 80 | O3 |
| 2023 | 31 | 54 | 0 | 90 | PM2.5 |
| 2024 | 31 | 49 | 0 | 67 | O3 |
| 2025 | 31 | 47 | 1 | 101 | PM2.5 |
What July air means in Richmond
A typical July day in Richmond is Moderate (median AQI 52): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 71 of July days (1.4%) 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 52 is above Richmond's whole-year median of 47, making it one of the area's dirtier periods. Nationally, the median July AQI across every EPA metro area (103,858 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 47, so Richmond runs above the national July norm; 1.4% of its July days topped AQI 100 versus 3.6% nationally (below average).
July is part of Richmond's summer season (June, July, August); the summer page pools all three months.
Activity-specific thresholds: running, cycling, kids' sports.
Right now in Richmond
The latest EPA AirNow observation puts Richmond's AQI at 37 (PM2.5). The figures above are multi-year month statistics, not today's reading.
View current Richmond air quality →Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) pre-generated Daily AQI by CBSA files — daily AQI by CBSA (Richmond, VA), 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.