Atlanta Air Quality in Fall
Across 2019–2025, Atlanta's fall (September–November) air quality had a median AQI of 54 (Moderate) over 637 monitored days in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA area. 2.6% of fall days (16 of 637) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 76.8% of days. The cleanest fall on record here was 2020 (median AQI 52, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2019 (median 58, 9 days above 100, peak AQI 172).
- Good: 34.9%
- Moderate: 62.6%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 2.4%
- Unhealthy or worse: 0.2%
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 fall?
Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 54 across 2019–2025, with 2.6% of fall days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓34.9% of fall days were Good (AQI 0–50), 62.6% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓16 days of 637 reached AQI 101+; the fall peak was 172.
- ✓Cleanest month: November; worst month: September.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Atlanta in fall?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Atlanta in fall was 54 (Moderate). 34.9% of days were Good, 62.6% Moderate, and 2.6% reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, based on 637 monitored days in EPA's Air Quality System.
Is fall a good time for outdoor exercise in Atlanta?▾
A typical fall day in Atlanta is Moderate (median AQI 54): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 38 of fall days (2.6%) 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 fall air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 76.8% of fall days in Atlanta. The highest fall AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 172 (Unhealthy), in 2019.
Atlanta fall air quality, year by year
Atlanta fall 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019worst | 91 | 58 | 9 | 172 | PM2.5 |
| 2020cleanest | 91 | 52 | 0 | 84 | PM2.5 |
| 2021 | 91 | 53 | 0 | 100 | PM2.5 |
| 2022 | 91 | 52 | 2 | 150 | PM2.5 |
| 2023 | 91 | 57 | 1 | 105 | PM2.5 |
| 2024 | 91 | 55 | 0 | 100 | PM2.5 |
| 2025 | 91 | 54 | 4 | 112 | PM2.5 |
What fall air means in Atlanta
A typical fall day in Atlanta is Moderate (median AQI 54): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 38 of fall days (2.6%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
Fall's median AQI of 54 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 Fall AQI across every EPA metro area (296,275 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 40, so Atlanta runs above the national Fall norm; 2.6% of its Fall days topped AQI 100 versus 1.5% nationally (above average).
Within the season, November is the cleanest month (median AQI 54, 0.0% of days above 100) and September the worst (median 58, 6.2% above 100).
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 season 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.