Outdoor
Outdoor activity is generally possible, but conditions are not ideal.
Why: AQI or pollutant levels are elevated, so this guidance is more cautious.
Washington, D.C., United States
Washington, D.C. 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
51
Moderate
PM2.5
Fine particulate matter
13.2µg/m³
Moderate
PM10
Coarse particulate matter
13.4µg/m³
Low
NO₂
Nitrogen dioxide
28µg/m³
Low
O₃
Ozone
55µg/m³
Low
UV index
Sun exposure level
0
Low
Temperature
Air temperature
24°C
Comfortable
Feels like
Apparent temperature
25°C
Warm
Wind
Wind speed
9km/h
Light
Humidity
Relative humidity
63%
Comfortable
Share page
Disclaimer
This information is a general estimate only and is not medical advice.
Location
Washington, D.C., United States
Coordinates: 38.9072, -77.0369 · America/New_York
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 Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.'s Department of Energy and Environment identifies vehicle emissions, industrial activities, wildfires and construction sites as major PM2.5 source types in the District.
This is a District source-type overview, not a statement that any listed source is affecting every neighborhood or current conditions now.
Local monitoring and context
The District tracks PM2.5 at five sites: River Terrace, Near Road by I-295, McMillan Reservoir, King Greenleaf and Bald Eagle recreation centers.
The five-site inventory is pollutant-specific and does not imply that one monitor represents all of Washington, D.C. or supplies this page's current AQI.
City air quality FAQ
How should I read the AQI for Washington, D.C.?
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, 09:00 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 at Your Fingertips — PM2.5 Monitoring in the District
District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment
- Scope
- Washington, D.C.
- Source checked
- 23 Aug 2026
The page names four major PM2.5 source types and lists the five District monitoring sites by location.
Applicability: District PM2.5 overview and site inventory; the embedded data product is separate from this page's current AQI provider.
Based on this source: Washington, D.C.'s Department of Energy and Environment identifies vehicle emissions, industrial activities, wildfires and construction sites as major PM2.5 source types in the District.
The District tracks PM2.5 at five sites: River Terrace, Near Road by I-295, McMillan Reservoir, King Greenleaf and Bald Eagle recreation centers.