Chicago air quality · Illinois, United States
Breathing through your nose filters more particles than your mouth
US AQI 59 (Moderate) in Chicago, from 1 AirNow monitoring station. Main pollutant: PM2.5.
Updated
Pollutants in Chicago
- PM2.559AQI
- Ozone9AQI
US values are per-pollutant AQI from the highest-reading monitor near Chicago (McCook).
Is it safe outside in Chicago right now?
Air quality is acceptable. People who are unusually sensitive to air pollution may feel effects with long or heavy exertion outdoors.
Walking and commuting
Go aheadFine for everyone.
Running and jogging
Take careFine for most; unusually sensitive people should ease the pace.
Cycling
Go aheadFine for everyone.
Children playing outside
Go aheadNo limits for most children.
Older adults and heart or lung conditions
Take careWatch for symptoms such as coughing or breathlessness.
Open windows
Go aheadFine to ventilate.
Mask outdoors
Not neededNot needed.
Air purifier indoors
Not neededOptional.
Based on the US EPA Air Quality Guide, applied to the current US AQI category. If you have symptoms, follow your doctor's advice.
What US AQI 51–100 means for your health →
Chicago air quality history
Daily average, 36 days- 42average daily US AQI over 36 days
- 61worst day, 1 October
- 24cleanest day, 22 September
- 0days at Unhealthy or worse
The last 7 days averaged 39, better than the week before (51). 28 of the last 36 days were Good.
Weather in Chicago
No active National Weather Service alerts for Chicago.
| Day | Forecast | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 19 | Sunny | 66°F | 50°F | 0% |
| Tue 20 | Sunny | 66°F | 50°F | 0% |
| Wed 21 | Sunny | 66°F | 54°F | 0% |
| Thu 22 | Sunny | 68°F | 54°F | 0% |
| Fri 23 | Sunny | 66°F | 54°F | 0% |
| Sat 24 | Mostly Sunny | 68°F | 55°F | 1% |
| Sun 25 | Partly Sunny | 70°F | 54°F | 7% |
National Weather Service forecast. All US weather alerts →
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Chicago air quality: common questions
What is the AQI in Chicago right now?
The US AQI in Chicago is 59 (Moderate). The main pollutant is PM2.5.
Is it safe to go outside in Chicago today?
Fine for most people. Air quality is acceptable. People who are unusually sensitive to air pollution may feel effects with long or heavy exertion outdoors. For runners: Fine for most; unusually sensitive people should ease the pace.
How has air quality in Chicago been recently?
Over the last 36 days with data, Chicago averaged US AQI 42. The worst day was 1 October at 61; the cleanest was 22 September at 24. 0 days were at Unhealthy or worse.
Where does Chicago's air quality data come from?
From US EPA AirNow, using 1 monitoring station in and around the city. Good Air does not estimate or adjust these readings.
Source: US EPA AirNow. Readings are published by the monitoring agency and may be revised.