Detroit Air Quality in August
Across 2019–2025, Detroit's August air quality had a median AQI of 58 (Moderate) over 217 monitored days in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI area. 5.1% of August days (11 of 217) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 77.4% of days. The cleanest August on record here was 2022 (median AQI 57, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2025 (median 58, 3 days above 100, peak AQI 152).
- Good: 21.2%
- Moderate: 73.7%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 4.6%
- Unhealthy or worse: 0.5%
Extra Protection for Detroit Homes
Air quality in Detroit is moderate (AQI 52), 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.
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How is the air in Detroit in August?
Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 58 across 2019–2025, with 5.1% of August days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓21.2% of August days were Good (AQI 0–50), 73.7% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓11 days of 217 reached AQI 101+; the August peak was 152.
- ✓Best August: 2022; worst August: 2025.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Detroit in August?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Detroit in August was 58 (Moderate). 21.2% of days were Good, 73.7% Moderate, and 5.1% 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 Detroit?▾
A typical August day in Detroit is Moderate (median AQI 58): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 20 of August days (5.1%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
Which pollutant causes Detroit's August air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 77.4% of August days in Detroit. The highest August AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 152 (Unhealthy), in 2025.
Detroit August air quality, year by year
Detroit August air quality by year (Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 31 | 58 | 1 | 105 | PM2.5 |
| 2020 | 31 | 57 | 2 | 112 | PM2.5 |
| 2021 | 31 | 62 | 2 | 140 | PM2.5 |
| 2022cleanest | 31 | 57 | 0 | 87 | PM2.5 |
| 2023 | 31 | 67 | 1 | 112 | PM2.5 |
| 2024 | 31 | 60 | 2 | 112 | PM2.5 |
| 2025worst | 31 | 58 | 3 | 152 | PM2.5 |
What August air means in Detroit
A typical August day in Detroit is Moderate (median AQI 58): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 20 of August days (5.1%) 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 58 is in line with Detroit's whole-year median of 58, 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 Detroit runs above the national August norm; 5.1% of its August days topped AQI 100 versus 3.5% nationally (above average).
August is part of Detroit's summer season (June, July, August); the summer page pools all three months.
Activity-specific thresholds: running, cycling, kids' sports.
Right now in Detroit
The latest EPA AirNow observation puts Detroit's AQI at 52 (PM2.5). The figures above are multi-year month statistics, not today's reading.
View current Detroit air quality →Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) pre-generated Daily AQI by CBSA files — daily AQI by CBSA (Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI), 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.