Cleveland Air Quality in July
Across 2019–2025, Cleveland's July air quality had a median AQI of 61 (Moderate) over 217 monitored days in the Cleveland-Elyria, OH area. 9.2% of July days (20 of 217) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 49.3% of days. The cleanest July on record here was 2019 (median AQI 59, 2 days above 100) and the worst was 2020 (median 58, 6 days above 100, peak AQI 155).
- Good: 19.4%
- Moderate: 71.4%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 7.8%
- Unhealthy or worse: 1.4%
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How is the air in Cleveland in July?
Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 61 across 2019–2025, with 9.2% of July days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓19.4% of July days were Good (AQI 0–50), 71.4% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓20 days of 217 reached AQI 101+; the July peak was 158.
- ✓Best July: 2019; worst July: 2020.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Cleveland in July?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Cleveland in July was 61 (Moderate). 19.4% of days were Good, 71.4% Moderate, and 9.2% reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, based on 217 monitored days in EPA's Air Quality System.
Is July a good time for outdoor exercise in Cleveland?▾
A typical July day in Cleveland is Moderate (median AQI 61): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 11 of July days (9.2%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
Which pollutant causes Cleveland's July air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 49.3% of July days in Cleveland. The highest July AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 158 (Unhealthy), in 2020.
Cleveland July air quality, year by year
Cleveland July air quality by year (Cleveland-Elyria, OH, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019cleanest | 31 | 59 | 2 | 119 | O3 |
| 2020worst | 31 | 58 | 6 | 155 | O3 |
| 2021 | 31 | 60 | 2 | 105 | PM2.5 |
| 2022 | 31 | 55 | 3 | 158 | O3 |
| 2023 | 31 | 69 | 3 | 157 | O3 |
| 2024 | 31 | 69 | 2 | 120 | O3 |
| 2025 | 31 | 74 | 2 | 150 | O3 |
What July air means in Cleveland
A typical July day in Cleveland is Moderate (median AQI 61): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 11 of July days (9.2%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
July's median AQI of 61 is above Cleveland's whole-year median of 55, making it one of the area's dirtier periods. Nationally, the median July AQI across every EPA metro area (103,858 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 47, so Cleveland runs above the national July norm; 9.2% of its July days topped AQI 100 versus 3.6% nationally (above average).
July is part of Cleveland's summer season (June, July, August); the summer page pools all three months.
Activity-specific thresholds: running, cycling, kids' sports.
Right now in Cleveland
The latest EPA AirNow observation puts Cleveland's AQI at 48 (PM10). The figures above are multi-year month statistics, not today's reading.
View current Cleveland air quality →Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) pre-generated Daily AQI by CBSA files — daily AQI by CBSA (Cleveland-Elyria, OH), 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.