Rochester Air Quality in October
Across 2019–2025, Rochester's October air quality had a median AQI of 32 (Good) over 217 monitored days in the Rochester, NY area. 0.0% of October days (0 of 217) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 52.1% of days. The cleanest October on record here was 2023 (median AQI 29, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2021 (median 37, 0 days above 100, peak AQI 55).
- Good: 88.9%
- Moderate: 11.1%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 0.0%
- Unhealthy or worse: 0.0%
Filtering Fine Particles Indoors
When outdoor particle pollution is elevated it seeps indoors. A True-HEPA purifier captures up to 99.97% of the fine particles — PM2.5, wildfire smoke, dust and pollen — that build up inside, giving sensitive groups cleaner air to breathe.
Recommended: Coway AP-1512HH Mighty — True HEPA + carbon · CADR ~246 CFM · rooms up to 361 sq ft
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
How is the air in Rochester in October?
Good on a typical day: median AQI 32 across 2019–2025, with 0.0% of October days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓88.9% of October days were Good (AQI 0–50), 11.1% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓0 days of 217 reached AQI 101+; the October peak was 80.
- ✓Best October: 2023; worst October: 2021.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Rochester in October?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Rochester in October was 32 (Good). 88.9% of days were Good, 11.1% Moderate, and 0.0% reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, based on 217 monitored days in EPA's Air Quality System.
Is October a good time for outdoor exercise in Rochester?▾
A typical October day in Rochester sits in the Good range (median AQI 32), so running, cycling and children's outdoor play are fine for everyone on most days; fewer than 1% of October days reached AQI 101+ in 2019–2025.
Which pollutant causes Rochester's October air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 52.1% of October days in Rochester. The highest October AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 80 (Moderate), in 2021.
Rochester October air quality, year by year
Rochester October air quality by year (Rochester, NY, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 31 | 32 | 0 | 52 | PM2.5 |
| 2020 | 31 | 34 | 0 | 56 | PM2.5 |
| 2021worst | 31 | 37 | 0 | 55 | PM2.5 |
| 2022 | 31 | 35 | 0 | 56 | PM2.5 |
| 2023cleanest | 31 | 29 | 0 | 55 | PM2.5 |
| 2024 | 31 | 33 | 0 | 60 | O3 |
| 2025 | 31 | 29 | 0 | 80 | O3 |
What October air means in Rochester
A typical October day in Rochester sits in the Good range (median AQI 32), so running, cycling and children's outdoor play are fine for everyone on most days; fewer than 1% of October days reached AQI 101+ in 2019–2025.
October's median AQI of 32 is below Rochester's whole-year median of 42, making it one of the area's cleaner periods. Nationally, the median October AQI across every EPA metro area (102,872 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 38, so Rochester runs below the national October norm; 0.0% of its October days topped AQI 100 versus 1.3% nationally (below average).
October is part of Rochester's fall season (September, October, November); the fall page pools all three months.
Activity-specific thresholds: running, cycling, kids' sports.
Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) pre-generated Daily AQI by CBSA files — daily AQI by CBSA (Rochester, NY), 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.