Outdoor
Outdoor activity is generally possible, but conditions are not ideal.
Why: AQI or pollutant levels are elevated, so this guidance is more cautious.
San Diego, California, United States
San Diego air quality today
Outdoor activity is generally possible, but conditions are not ideal.
Data: Hourly Open-Meteo model estimateThe latest update is older than expected, so this page is showing an estimate for the current hour.Detailed metrics and guidance use the latest available detailed data.
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
Consider waiting before longer ventilation.
Why: PM2.5, PM10, NO2 or ozone is elevated, so longer ventilation may bring more outdoor pollution indoors.
Air quality and outdoor metrics
US AQI
Air Quality Index
64
Moderate
PM2.5
Fine particulate matter
14.2µg/m³
Moderate
PM10
Coarse particulate matter
19.0µg/m³
Low
NO₂
Nitrogen dioxide
6µg/m³
Low
O₃
Ozone
104µg/m³
Elevated
UV index
Sun exposure level
0
Low
Temperature
Air temperature
23°C
Comfortable
Feels like
Apparent temperature
25°C
Warm
Wind
Wind speed
11km/h
Light
Humidity
Relative humidity
83%
Humid
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Disclaimer
This information is a general estimate only and is not medical advice.
Location
San Diego, United States
Coordinates: 32.7157, -117.1611 · America/Los_Angeles
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 San Diego
The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District explains that ground-level ozone forms when emissions from motor vehicles, industrial plants, consumer products and other sources interact under the influence of sunlight and heat.
This is evergreen San Diego County ozone-formation context, not a statement about current air quality, conditions in every neighborhood, a quantitative ranking of sources, current regulatory classification, or this site's current-data provenance.
Local monitoring and context
The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District says the county's population and most pollution sources are concentrated in its western portion, so the District conducts most air sampling at western-region monitoring sites; the collected data supports County air-quality attainment assessment and AQI-based forecasts of air-pollution levels.
This describes county monitoring-network context, not measurements from a particular station, citywide current conditions, or the provenance of current data shown on this site.
City air quality FAQ
How should I read the AQI for San Diego?
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
- This hour's model estimate
- Data time
- 5 Sept 2026, 06:00 pm
- Data source
- Open-Meteo
The latest update is older than expected, so this page is showing an estimate for the current hour.
Detailed metrics and guidance use the latest available detailed data.
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
Air Quality Planning
San Diego County Air Pollution Control District
- Scope
- San Diego County
- Source checked
- 27 Aug 2026
The page explains that ground-level ozone forms when emissions from motor vehicles, industrial plants, consumer products and other sources interact under sunlight and heat.
Applicability: Official county air-district planning material supports evergreen regional ozone-formation context, not current conditions, neighborhood-level uniformity, source ranking, current regulatory classification or this site's current-data provenance.
Based on this source: The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District explains that ground-level ozone forms when emissions from motor vehicles, industrial plants, consumer products and other sources interact under the influence of sunlight and heat.
Air Quality
San Diego County Air Pollution Control District
- Scope
- San Diego County
- Source checked
- 27 Aug 2026
The page says the county's population and most pollution sources are concentrated in the western portion, so most sampling occurs at western monitoring sites; station data is used to assess County attainment status and forecast pollution levels using AQI.
Applicability: Official county monitoring-network context; it does not make an individual station representative of citywide current conditions and is not this site's current-data provenance.
Based on this source: The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District says the county's population and most pollution sources are concentrated in its western portion, so the District conducts most air sampling at western-region monitoring sites; the collected data supports County air-quality attainment assessment and AQI-based forecasts of air-pollution levels.