ToClearSkies
🔥 See current wildfires →
Charlotte air right now

GoodAQI 37

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

37
AQI now
6.6
PM2.5 · µg/m³
1 cleaner spot within 3 hr drive

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.

Asheville looks like the better move.55% cleaner air with a verified 2 h 35 min road trip. Rankings balance cleaner air with trip ease.

Every town is also available in the ranked list.
Charlotte Clean · PM2.5 0–5 Good · 5–9 Elevated · 9–15 Polluted · 15–35 Unhealthy · 35–55 Severe · 55+
Top pick
Lake Lure
Cel-shaded illustration of Lake Lure
AQI 17
#1Lake LureChecking road route

North Carolina· Good

Mountain-ringed lake resort in the Hickory Nut Gorge, with open-water air and lakeside lodges.

55% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 3 µg/m³ here vs 6.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 here; 6.6/22 × 7 = 2.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.6 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Charlotte right now

55% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the BDED monitor.

Directions
Chimney Rock
Cel-shaded illustration of Chimney Rock
AQI 17
#2Chimney RockChecking road route

North Carolina· Good

Village beneath a granite monolith in the Hickory Nut Gorge, a small mountain base with cabins and inns.

55% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 3 µg/m³ here vs 6.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 here; 6.6/22 × 7 = 2.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.6 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Charlotte right now

55% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the BDED monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Tryon
Cel-shaded illustration of Tryon
AQI 29
#3TryonChecking road route

North Carolina· Good

Foothills equestrian town on the Blue Ridge escarpment, cooler than the Piedmont with inns and B&Bs.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 5.3 µg/m³ here vs 6.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.3/22 × 7 = 1.7 here; 6.6/22 × 7 = 2.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
20% 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
Greensboro
Cel-shaded illustration of Greensboro
AQI 36
#4Greensboro~1 h 45 min drive

North Carolina· Good

A major North Carolina 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 6.5 µg/m³ here vs 6.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 6.5/22 × 7 = 2.1 here; 6.6/22 × 7 = 2.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
2% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the MENDNHAL monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Winston-Salem
Cel-shaded illustration of Winston-Salem
AQI 44
#5Winston-Salem~1 h 35 min drive

North Carolina· Good

A major North Carolina 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 8 µg/m³ here vs 6.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 8/22 × 7 = 2.5 here; 6.6/22 × 7 = 2.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
21% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Hattie Avenue monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Columbia
Cel-shaded illustration of Columbia
AQI 60
#6Columbia~1 h 50 min drive

South Carolina· Moderate

A major South Carolina 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 13.9 µg/m³ here vs 6.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 13.9/22 × 7 = 4.4 here; 6.6/22 × 7 = 2.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Charlotte

111% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Irmo DJJ monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Matthews
Cel-shaded illustration of Matthews
AQI unavailable
#7MatthewsChecking road route

North Carolina

North Carolina 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
Pineville
Cel-shaded illustration of Pineville
AQI unavailable
#8PinevilleChecking road route

North Carolina

North Carolina 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
Mount Holly
Cel-shaded illustration of Mount Holly
AQI unavailable
#9Mount HollyChecking road route

North Carolina

North Carolina 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
Belmont
Cel-shaded illustration of Belmont
AQI unavailable
#10BelmontChecking road route

North Carolina

North Carolina 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
Mint Hill
Cel-shaded illustration of Mint Hill
AQI unavailable
#11Mint HillChecking road route

North Carolina

North Carolina 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
Harrisburg
Cel-shaded illustration of Harrisburg
AQI unavailable
#12HarrisburgChecking road route

North Carolina

North Carolina 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
Banner Elk
Cel-shaded illustration of Banner Elk
AQI 11
#13Banner ElkChecking road route

North Carolina· Good

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

70% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 2 µg/m³ here vs 6.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 6.6/22 × 7 = 2.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

4.6 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Charlotte right now

70% 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
Black Mountain
Cel-shaded illustration of Black Mountain
AQI 17
#14Black MountainChecking road route

North Carolina· Good

Blue Ridge town just east of Asheville near 2,400 feet, with a walkable center and cool ridge air.

55% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 3 µg/m³ here vs 6.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 here; 6.6/22 × 7 = 2.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.6 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Charlotte right now

55% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the BDED monitor.

Directions
Hendersonville
Cel-shaded illustration of Hendersonville
AQI 17
#15HendersonvilleChecking road route

North Carolina· Good

Blue Ridge foothills town south of Asheville, with orchard country around it and a walkable Main Street of inns.

55% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 3 µg/m³ here vs 6.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 here; 6.6/22 × 7 = 2.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.6 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Charlotte right now

55% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the BDED monitor.

Directions
Asheville
Cel-shaded illustration of Asheville
AQI 17
#16Asheville~2 h 35 min drive

North Carolina· Good

Blue Ridge mountain city with extensive lodging and higher-elevation air west of Charlotte.

55% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 3 µg/m³ here vs 6.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 here; 6.6/22 × 7 = 2.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.6 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Charlotte right now

55% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the BDED monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Boone
Cel-shaded illustration of Boone
AQI 26
#17Boone~2 h 20 min drive

North Carolina· Good

Blue Ridge college town near 3,300 feet in North Carolina's High Country, with cool mountain air and abundant lodging.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 4.7 µg/m³ here vs 6.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 4.7/22 × 7 = 1.5 here; 6.6/22 × 7 = 2.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
29% 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
Pigeon Forge
Cel-shaded illustration of Pigeon Forge
AQI 11
#18Pigeon Forge~4 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.

70% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 2 µg/m³ here vs 6.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 6.6/22 × 7 = 2.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

4.6 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Charlotte right now

70% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the MARYVILL monitor.

Directions
Harpers Ferry
Cel-shaded illustration of Harpers Ferry
AQI 11
#19Harpers FerryChecking road route

West Virginia· Good

Historic hillside town where the Potomac and Shenandoah cut a gap through the Blue Ridge, with river-gap breezes and B&Bs.

70% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 2 µg/m³ here vs 6.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 6.6/22 × 7 = 2.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

4.6 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Charlotte right now

70% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Hagerstown monitor.

Directions
Shepherdstown
Cel-shaded illustration of Shepherdstown
AQI 11
#20ShepherdstownChecking road route

West Virginia· Good

West Virginia's oldest town on the upper Potomac, a walkable river-valley base with inns and B&Bs.

70% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 2 µg/m³ here vs 6.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 6.6/22 × 7 = 2.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

4.6 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Charlotte right now

70% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Hagerstown 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 North Carolina →
Durham air qualityGreensboro air qualityRaleigh air qualityWinston-Salem air quality
Air quality in nearby cities →
Columbia air qualityGreenville air qualityAugusta air qualityCharleston air qualityKnoxville air qualityAtlanta air qualityRichmond air qualityNorfolk air qualityLexington air qualityVirginia Beach air qualityWashington, D.C. air qualityCincinnati air quality

What this means · Charlotte

Good

AQI 37

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 6.6 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.

6.6 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.

2.1/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 6.6 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at this level: 6.6/22 × 7 = 2.1 cigarettes.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
See the full method →