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Kansas City air right now

GoodAQI 44

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

44
AQI now
7.9
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.
Kansas City Clean · PM2.5 0–5 Good · 5–9 Elevated · 9–15 Polluted · 15–35 Unhealthy · 35–55 Severe · 55+
Top pick
Lawrence
Cel-shaded illustration of Lawrence
AQI 37
#1LawrenceChecking road route

Kansas· Good

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

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 6.7 µg/m³ here vs 7.9 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 6.7/22 × 7 = 2.1 here; 7.9/22 × 7 = 2.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
15% 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
Saint Joseph
Cel-shaded illustration of Saint Joseph
AQI 39
#2Saint JosephChecking road route

Missouri· Good

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

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 7 µg/m³ here vs 7.9 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 7/22 × 7 = 2.2 here; 7.9/22 × 7 = 2.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
11% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the St. Joseph monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Lee's Summit
Cel-shaded illustration of Lee's Summit
AQI 43
#3Lee's SummitChecking road route

Missouri· Good

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

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 7.7 µg/m³ here vs 7.9 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 7.7/22 × 7 = 2.5 here; 7.9/22 × 7 = 2.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
3% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Linden Hills monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Topeka
Cel-shaded illustration of Topeka
AQI 56
#4TopekaChecking road route

Kansas· Moderate

A major Kansas 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 12 µg/m³ here vs 7.9 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 12/22 × 7 = 3.8 here; 7.9/22 × 7 = 2.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Kansas City

52% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the KNI-Topeka monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Shawnee
Cel-shaded illustration of Shawnee
AQI unavailable
#5ShawneeChecking road route

Kansas

Kansas 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
Parkville
Cel-shaded illustration of Parkville
AQI unavailable
#6ParkvilleChecking road route

Missouri

Missouri 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
Independence
Cel-shaded illustration of Independence
AQI unavailable
#7IndependenceChecking road route

Missouri

Missouri 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
Raytown
Cel-shaded illustration of Raytown
AQI unavailable
#8RaytownChecking road route

Missouri

Missouri 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
Leawood
Cel-shaded illustration of Leawood
AQI unavailable
#9LeawoodChecking road route

Kansas

Kansas 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
Overland Park
Cel-shaded illustration of Overland Park
AQI unavailable
#10Overland ParkChecking road route

Kansas

Kansas community with a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Pleasant Valley
Cel-shaded illustration of Pleasant Valley
AQI unavailable
#11Pleasant ValleyChecking road route

Missouri

Missouri 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
Weatherby Lake
Cel-shaded illustration of Weatherby Lake
AQI unavailable
#12Weatherby LakeChecking road route

Missouri

Missouri 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
Manhattan
Cel-shaded illustration of Manhattan
AQI 31
#13Manhattan~2 h 10 min drive

Kansas· Good

Flint Hills college town with lodging northeast of Wichita and west of Kansas City.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 5.6 µg/m³ here vs 7.9 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.6/22 × 7 = 1.8 here; 7.9/22 × 7 = 2.5 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 Kansas City right now

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
Still smoky
Emporia
Cel-shaded illustration of Emporia
AQI 31
#14EmporiaChecking road route

Kansas· Good

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

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 5.6 µg/m³ here vs 7.9 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.6/22 × 7 = 1.8 here; 7.9/22 × 7 = 2.5 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 Kansas City right now

29% 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
Slater
Cel-shaded illustration of Slater
AQI unavailable
#15SlaterChecking road route

Missouri

Missouri 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
Trenton
Cel-shaded illustration of Trenton
AQI unavailable
#16TrentonChecking road route

Missouri

Missouri 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
Sabetha
Cel-shaded illustration of Sabetha
AQI unavailable
#17SabethaChecking road route

Kansas

Kansas 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
St. Louis
Cel-shaded illustration of St. Louis
AQI 9
#18St. Louis~4 h 45 min drive

Missouri· Good

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

78% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 1.7 µg/m³ here vs 7.9 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.7/22 × 7 = 0.5 here; 7.9/22 × 7 = 2.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

6.2 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Kansas City right now

78% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Blair Street monitor.

Directions
Spring Green
Cel-shaded illustration of Spring Green
AQI 17
#19Spring GreenChecking road route

Wisconsin· Good

Driftless-region village on the Wisconsin River near House on the Rock, with hilly river-valley air.

62% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 3 µg/m³ here vs 7.9 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 here; 7.9/22 × 7 = 2.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

4.9 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Kansas City right now

62% 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
Hermann
Cel-shaded illustration of Hermann
AQI 21
#20Hermann~3 h 35 min drive

Missouri· Good

German wine-country town in the wooded Missouri River hills west of St. Louis, a countryside reset with inns and B&Bs.

52% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 3.8 µg/m³ here vs 7.9 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3.8/22 × 7 = 1.2 here; 7.9/22 × 7 = 2.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

4.1 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Kansas City right now

52% 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
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 Missouri →
Springfield air qualitySt. Louis air quality
Air quality in nearby cities →
Topeka air qualityOmaha air qualityWichita air qualityDes Moines air qualityTulsa air qualityPeoria air qualityOklahoma City air qualityLittle Rock air qualitySioux Falls air qualityRockford air qualityMemphis air qualityMadison air quality

What this means · Kansas City

Good

AQI 44

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 7.9 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.

7.9 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.

2.5/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 7.9 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at this level: 7.9/22 × 7 = 2.5 cigarettes.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
See the full method →