Outdoor
Outdoor activity is generally possible, but conditions are not ideal.
Why: AQI or pollutant levels are elevated, so this guidance is more cautious.
Houston, Texas, United States
Houston air quality today
Outdoor activity is generally possible, but conditions are not ideal.
Data: Current Open-Meteo model estimate
Practical guidance
Running
Outdoor running is generally fine. If you are sensitive to air pollution, consider keeping the effort easy.
Why: Air quality indicators are elevated, so the running guidance is more cautious.
Ventilation
Ventilate briefly and check conditions again later.
Why: AQI or pollutant levels are elevated, so longer ventilation may be better later.
Air quality and outdoor metrics
US AQI
Air Quality Index
59
Moderate
PM2.5
Fine particulate matter
9.1µg/m³
Low
PM10
Coarse particulate matter
12.0µg/m³
Low
NO₂
Nitrogen dioxide
22µg/m³
Low
O₃
Ozone
31µg/m³
Low
UV index
Sun exposure level
0
Low
Temperature
Air temperature
29°C
Warm
Feels like
Apparent temperature
32°C
Hot
Wind
Wind speed
11km/h
Light
Humidity
Relative humidity
68%
Comfortable
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Disclaimer
This information is a general estimate only and is not medical advice.
Location
Houston, United States
Coordinates: 29.7604, -95.3698 · America/Chicago
Interpret AQI for outdoor activity
Calculic's European AQI calculator assesses the value using your population group and planned activity intensity.
Interpret AQI in CalculicThis page's European AQI value, city and timestamp are passed to the calculator through the link.
What affects air quality in Houston
For the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria area, TCEQ's ozone rules cover NOx from industrial and institutional combustion and VOCs from sources including refineries, storage tanks and marine vessels.
This describes HGB regional source categories covered by ozone-control rules, not a current Houston reading or a claim about every facility.
Local monitoring and context
TCEQ says Houston-area ozone monitoring began with Clinton, Houston East and Houston Aldine and later expanded through the urban core and populated suburbs.
This is the official network's regional history and coverage context; individual monitors do not represent all of Houston or source this page's current AQI.
City air quality FAQ
How should I read the AQI for Houston?
US AQI condenses air quality into one value. On this page, it helps you quickly judge whether conditions look good, moderate or more polluted than usual.
Is the air quality good for going outside?
Check the outdoor and running cards first. They combine AQI, particles, ozone, weather and other factors that can affect outdoor comfort.
Should I ventilate right now?
The ventilation card considers AQI and pollutants such as particles, nitrogen dioxide and ozone. If values are elevated, a shorter opening or a later moment may be better.
Why can air quality change during the day?
Weather, emissions, ozone formation, particles and air flow can shift local conditions, so the next hours can differ from the current reading.
Sources and methodology
Current data
This page uses US AQI.
Current and hourly air-quality values are CAMS-based model estimates, not measurements from a local monitoring station. They may not reflect street-level conditions.
- Displayed state
- Current model estimate
- Data time
- 2 Sept 2026, 08:00 pm
- Data source
- Open-Meteo
Evergreen city statements
Each local statement is linked to a checked primary-authority source. A source check is editorial provenance and does not describe current-data freshness.
Local sources support the background claims below; they are not the source of the current data shown above unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Authoritative sources for local statements
Stationary Source Rules for the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria Area
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
- Scope
- Houston-Galveston-Brazoria area
- Source checked
- 22 Aug 2026
The controlling-ozone section lists regional NOx and VOC stationary-source categories, including combustion, refinery, storage-tank and vessel activities.
Applicability: Eight-county HGB regulatory context; the listed source categories do not describe current conditions at a particular Houston location.
Based on this source: For the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria area, TCEQ's ozone rules cover NOx from industrial and institutional combustion and VOCs from sources including refineries, storage tanks and marine vessels.
Texas 2025 Five-Year Ambient Air Monitoring Network Assessment
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
- Scope
- Houston area
- Source checked
- 22 Aug 2026
The Houston Area network-history section names the early Clinton, Houston East and Houston Aldine monitors and describes later expansion.
Applicability: Houston-area network assessment; monitor coverage is regional and separate from the current-data pipeline on this page.
Based on this source: TCEQ says Houston-area ozone monitoring began with Clinton, Houston East and Houston Aldine and later expanded through the urban core and populated suburbs.