Atlanta Air Quality in August
Across 2019–2025, Atlanta's August air quality had a median AQI of 57 (Moderate) over 217 monitored days in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA area. 6.5% of August days (14 of 217) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 59.4% of days. The cleanest August on record here was 2025 (median AQI 50, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2023 (median 68, 4 days above 100, peak AQI 156).
- Good: 25.3%
- Moderate: 68.2%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 6.0%
- Unhealthy or worse: 0.5%
Extra Protection for Atlanta Homes
Air quality in Atlanta is moderate (AQI 56), 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 Atlanta in August?
Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 57 across 2019–2025, with 6.5% of August days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓25.3% of August days were Good (AQI 0–50), 68.2% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓14 days of 217 reached AQI 101+; the August peak was 156.
- ✓Best August: 2025; worst August: 2023.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Atlanta in August?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Atlanta in August was 57 (Moderate). 25.3% of days were Good, 68.2% Moderate, and 6.5% reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, based on 217 monitored days in EPA's Air Quality System.
Is August a good time for outdoor exercise in Atlanta?▾
A typical August day in Atlanta is Moderate (median AQI 57): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 15 of August days (6.5%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
Which pollutant causes Atlanta's August air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 59.4% of August days in Atlanta. The highest August AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 156 (Unhealthy), in 2023.
Atlanta August air quality, year by year
Atlanta August air quality by year (Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 31 | 64 | 4 | 150 | O3 |
| 2020 | 31 | 57 | 0 | 93 | PM2.5 |
| 2021 | 31 | 60 | 3 | 115 | PM2.5 |
| 2022 | 31 | 51 | 0 | 67 | PM2.5 |
| 2023worst | 31 | 68 | 4 | 156 | PM2.5 |
| 2024 | 31 | 66 | 3 | 126 | O3 |
| 2025cleanest | 31 | 50 | 0 | 74 | O3 |
What August air means in Atlanta
A typical August day in Atlanta is Moderate (median AQI 57): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 15 of August days (6.5%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
August's median AQI of 57 is in line with Atlanta's whole-year median of 54, so this period is neither a clean nor a dirty stretch for the area. Nationally, the median August AQI across every EPA metro area (104,152 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 45, so Atlanta runs above the national August norm; 6.5% of its August days topped AQI 100 versus 3.5% nationally (above average).
August is part of Atlanta's summer season (June, July, August); the summer page pools all three months.
Activity-specific thresholds: running, cycling, kids' sports.
Right now in Atlanta
The latest EPA AirNow observation puts Atlanta's AQI at 56 (PM2.5). The figures above are multi-year month statistics, not today's reading.
View current Atlanta air quality →Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) pre-generated Daily AQI by CBSA files — daily AQI by CBSA (Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA), 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.