San Diego Air Quality in 2022
In 2022, San Diego's air quality (San Diego-Carlsbad, CA area) had a median daily AQI of 63 (Moderate) across 365 monitored days. 26 days (7.1%) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, 42 were Good, and the year's peak AQI was 156 (Unhealthy). Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 190 of those days. The cleanest month of 2022 was February (median AQI 55, 0 days above 100) and the worst was June (median 89, 9 days above 100, peak 143).
- Good: 11.5%
- Moderate: 81.4%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 6.8%
- Unhealthy or worse: 0.3%
Extra Protection for San Diego Homes
Air quality in San Diego is moderate (AQI 53), 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 was San Diego's air quality in 2022?
Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 63, with 26 days above AQI 100 out of 365 monitored — the 3rd cleanest of 7 years on record for the area.
- ✓Peak AQI in 2022: 156 (Unhealthy).
- ✓Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was the main pollutant on 190 days.
- ✓Cleanest month: February; worst: June.
Frequently asked questions
What was the average AQI in San Diego in 2022?▾
EPA's Air Quality System puts San Diego's (San Diego-Carlsbad, CA) median daily AQI for 2022 at 63, which is Moderate. 26 days were Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse and the year's highest AQI was 156.
Which month had the worst air quality in San Diego in 2022?▾
The cleanest month of 2022 was February (median AQI 55, 0 days above 100) and the worst was June (median 89, 9 days above 100, peak 143).
Was 2022 a good or bad year for San Diego's air?▾
Among the 7 years EPA has published for the area (2019–2025), 2022 ranks 3rd cleanest by days above AQI 100. 2022's median of 63 is below the area's typical annual median of 67.
San Diego month by month in 2022
San Diego air quality month by month, 2022 (San Diego-Carlsbad, CA, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Month | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31 | 59 | 0 | 85 | PM2.5 |
| Februarycleanest | 28 | 55 | 0 | 74 | PM2.5 |
| March | 31 | 61 | 0 | 100 | O3 |
| April | 30 | 67 | 4 | 129 | O3 |
| May | 31 | 70 | 3 | 156 | PM2.5 |
| Juneworst | 30 | 89 | 9 | 143 | O3 |
| July | 31 | 64 | 2 | 115 | O3 |
| August | 31 | 62 | 2 | 115 | O3 |
| September | 30 | 66 | 5 | 145 | O3 |
| October | 31 | 69 | 1 | 121 | PM2.5 |
| November | 30 | 63 | 0 | 90 | PM2.5 |
| December | 31 | 65 | 0 | 91 | PM2.5 |
How 2022 compares
Among the 7 years EPA has published for the area (2019–2025), 2022 ranks 3rd cleanest by days above AQI 100.
2022's median of 63 is below the area's typical annual median of 67.
Activity-specific thresholds: running, cycling, kids' sports.
Right now in San Diego
The latest EPA AirNow observation puts San Diego's AQI at 53 (PM2.5). The figures above are multi-year annual statistics, not today's reading.
View current San Diego air quality →Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) pre-generated Daily AQI by CBSA files — daily AQI by CBSA (San Diego-Carlsbad, CA), 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.