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Birmingham air right now

GoodAQI 47

Birmingham’s five-day smoke forecast shows the current index and the clearest time ahead.

47
AQI now
8.5
PM2.5 · µg/m³
Look farther for cleaner air

Where are you?

Search covers Canada and the United States.

The better move within a 3-hour drive

Dates

Dates follow you into hotel searches. Live inventory is confirmed by the provider.

You may already have the cleanest nearby air.No meaningfully cleaner place has a verified road route within 3 hours. Widen the range or show worse air for context.

Every town is also available in the ranked list.
Birmingham Clean · PM2.5 0–5 Good · 5–9 Elevated · 9–15 Polluted · 15–35 Unhealthy · 35–55 Severe · 55+
Top pick
Tuscaloosa
Cel-shaded illustration of Tuscaloosa
AQI 3
#1TuscaloosaChecking road route

Alabama· Good

Alabama community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

93% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 0.6 µg/m³ here vs 8.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.6/22 × 7 = 0.2 here; 8.5/22 × 7 = 2.7 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

7.9 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Birmingham right now

93% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Duncanville Middle School monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Cullman
Cel-shaded illustration of Cullman
AQI 34
#2CullmanChecking road route

Alabama· Good

Alabama community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 6.2 µg/m³ here vs 8.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 6.2/22 × 7 = 2.0 here; 8.5/22 × 7 = 2.7 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

2.3 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Birmingham right now

27% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:27 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Huntsville
Cel-shaded illustration of Huntsville
AQI 36
#3Huntsville~1 h 50 min drive

Alabama· Good

North Alabama city with plentiful lodging and a separate air-quality reading from Birmingham.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 6.5 µg/m³ here vs 8.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 6.5/22 × 7 = 2.1 here; 8.5/22 × 7 = 2.7 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
24% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Huntsville Old Airport monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Montgomery
Cel-shaded illustration of Montgomery
AQI 41
#4Montgomery~1 h 45 min drive

Alabama· Good

A major Alabama city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 7.4 µg/m³ here vs 8.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 7.4/22 × 7 = 2.4 here; 8.5/22 × 7 = 2.7 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
13% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the MONTG monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Gadsden
Cel-shaded illustration of Gadsden
AQI 54
#5GadsdenChecking road route

Alabama· Moderate

Alabama community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 10.7 µg/m³ here vs 8.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 10.7/22 × 7 = 3.4 here; 8.5/22 × 7 = 2.7 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Birmingham

26% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the GADSDEN monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Selma
Cel-shaded illustration of Selma
AQI 55
#6SelmaChecking road route

Alabama· Moderate

Alabama community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 11 µg/m³ here vs 8.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 11/22 × 7 = 3.5 here; 8.5/22 × 7 = 2.7 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Birmingham

29% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:27 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Pleasant Grove
Cel-shaded illustration of Pleasant Grove
AQI unavailable
#7Pleasant GroveChecking road route

Alabama

Alabama community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Lake Purdy
Cel-shaded illustration of Lake Purdy
AQI unavailable
#8Lake PurdyChecking road route

Alabama

Alabama community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Gardendale
Cel-shaded illustration of Gardendale
AQI unavailable
#9GardendaleChecking road route

Alabama

Alabama community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Brighton
Cel-shaded illustration of Brighton
AQI unavailable
#10BrightonChecking road route

Alabama

Alabama community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Adamsville
Cel-shaded illustration of Adamsville
AQI unavailable
#11AdamsvilleChecking road route

Alabama

Alabama community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Meadowbrook
Cel-shaded illustration of Meadowbrook
AQI unavailable
#12MeadowbrookChecking road route

Alabama

Alabama community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Mentone
Cel-shaded illustration of Mentone
AQI 29
#13MentoneChecking road route

Alabama· Good

Lookout Mountain village above 1,700 feet in northeast Alabama, a cool-ridge escape with cabins and inns.

39% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 5.2 µg/m³ here vs 8.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.2/22 × 7 = 1.7 here; 8.5/22 × 7 = 2.7 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.3 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Birmingham right now

39% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Chattanooga
Cel-shaded illustration of Chattanooga
AQI 38
#14Chattanooga~2 h 40 min drive

Tennessee· Good

River and mountain city with plentiful lodging between Nashville, Atlanta and Birmingham.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 6.9 µg/m³ here vs 8.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 6.9/22 × 7 = 2.2 here; 8.5/22 × 7 = 2.7 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
19% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Siskin Dr monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Fort Payne
Cel-shaded illustration of Fort Payne
AQI 46
#15Fort PayneChecking road route

Alabama· Good

DeSoto Canyon-adjacent town in Alabama's Appalachian foothills, higher and cooler than the state's lowlands.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 8.2 µg/m³ here vs 8.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 8.2/22 × 7 = 2.6 here; 8.5/22 × 7 = 2.7 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
4% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Crossville monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Atlanta
Cel-shaded illustration of Atlanta
AQI 65
#16Atlanta~2 h 45 min drive

Georgia· Moderate

A major Georgia city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 16.7 µg/m³ here vs 8.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 16.7/22 × 7 = 5.3 here; 8.5/22 × 7 = 2.7 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Birmingham

96% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the NR-Georgia Tech monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Auburn
Cel-shaded illustration of Auburn
AQI 69
#17AuburnChecking road route

Alabama· Moderate

Alabama community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 18.6 µg/m³ here vs 8.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 18.6/22 × 7 = 5.9 here; 8.5/22 × 7 = 2.7 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Birmingham

119% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:27 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Pigeon Forge
Cel-shaded illustration of Pigeon Forge
AQI 11
#18Pigeon Forge~5 h 25 min drive

Tennessee· Good

Smoky Mountains resort town just below Gatlinburg, set in the foothills with a huge stock of hotels and cabins.

76% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 2 µg/m³ here vs 8.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 8.5/22 × 7 = 2.7 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

6.5 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Birmingham right now

76% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the MARYVILL monitor.

Directions
Banner Elk
Cel-shaded illustration of Banner Elk
AQI 11
#19Banner ElkChecking road route

North Carolina· Good

High-country ski town near 3,700 feet between Grandfather and Beech mountains, with cool alpine air.

76% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 2 µg/m³ here vs 8.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 8.5/22 × 7 = 2.7 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

6.5 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Birmingham right now

76% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Spruce Pine monitor.

Directions
Clarksville
Cel-shaded illustration of Clarksville
AQI 17
#20ClarksvilleChecking road route

Tennessee· Good

Tennessee community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

65% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 3 µg/m³ here vs 8.5 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 here; 8.5/22 × 7 = 2.7 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

5.5 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Birmingham right now

65% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Clarksville monitor.

Directions
Bad week ahead? Check the 7-day outlook — if it won’t clear, book the trip

7-day outlook

Plan the next seven days

Pick a day, or compare the whole week. Weather is forecast; air quality is the latest available reading.

Loading the week…

Finding the nicest days and reachable cities.

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDTLast scan Aug 23, 6:27 p.m. EDT · 49 min ago

Why live rankings? Smoke plumes are patchy and shift with the wind, so no direction is reliably cleaner. This list is recalculated from live PM2.5 every hour — and if everything nearby is smoky, it says so.

How we work this out →

Browse all 200 cities by province & state →

More air-quality pages in Alabama →
Mobile air qualityMontgomery air quality
Air quality in nearby cities →
Atlanta air qualityNashville air qualityJackson air qualityPensacola air qualityMemphis air qualityKnoxville air qualityTallahassee air qualityGreenville air qualityAugusta air qualityNew Orleans air qualityLittle Rock air qualityLouisville air quality

What this means · Birmingham

Good

AQI 47

AQI = Air Quality Index

Typical person. Air quality is satisfactory for most outdoor plans.

Kids, seniors, heart or lung conditions. Unusually sensitive people can still enjoy the outdoors.

The AQI on this page follows fine particles (PM2.5). Particles here are 8.5 µg/m³ (Good), so the headline and the particle scale below tell the same story.

Act two · Fine particles only

Where PM2.5 lands

This bar is smoke and fine particles (PM2.5) only. Left is cleaner air; right is heavier particle pollution. Today's particles sit in Good.

8.5 µg/m³
Clean · 0Smoky · 40Severe · 80+

Act three · Particle ladder

What each PM2.5 rung feels like

  • 0–3µg/m³Natural. About as clean as outdoor air realistically gets.
  • 3–5µg/m³Clean. Crisp, destination-worthy air.
  • 5–9µg/m³Good. Clean city air; most people will not notice anything today.
  • 9–15µg/m³Elevated. Usually no big deal today; sensitive lungs may notice hard exercise.
  • 15–35µg/m³Polluted. Smoke or traffic pollution is now worth acting on.
  • 35–55µg/m³Unhealthy. Symptoms become more likely, especially with asthma or heart disease.
  • 55+µg/m³Severe. Everyone should reduce exposure and clean the indoor air.

Act four · Felt number

Cigarettes a week

A secondary feel for the particle load only — not a medical claim, and not a substitute for AQI.

2.7/wk

What is PM2.5?

Fine particles about 30× thinner than a human hair — small enough to slip through your lungs and into your bloodstream. We measure them inµg/m³: micrograms of particle mass in a cubic metre of air.

The math

PM2.5 here is 8.5 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at this level: 8.5/22 × 7 = 2.7 cigarettes.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
See the full method →