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Modesto air right now

GoodAQI 13

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

13
AQI now
2.4
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.
Modesto Clean · PM2.5 0–5 Good · 5–9 Elevated · 9–15 Polluted · 15–35 Unhealthy · 35–55 Severe · 55+
Top pick
Sonora
Cel-shaded illustration of Sonora
AQI 6
#1SonoraChecking road route

California· Good

Gold Rush county seat in the Sierra foothills, set higher than the Central Valley with a historic Main Street.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1 µg/m³ here vs 2.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1/22 × 7 = 0.3 here; 2.4/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
58% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the San Andreas monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Murphys
Cel-shaded illustration of Murphys
AQI 6
#2MurphysChecking road route

California· Good

Calaveras County Gold Rush village with a wine-tasting Main Street, above the Central Valley haze.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1 µg/m³ here vs 2.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1/22 × 7 = 0.3 here; 2.4/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
58% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the San Andreas monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Jackson
Cel-shaded illustration of Jackson
AQI 6
#3JacksonChecking road route

California· Good

Amador County Gold Rush town in the Sierra foothills, above the valley haze with historic inns.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1 µg/m³ here vs 2.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1/22 × 7 = 0.3 here; 2.4/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
58% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the San Andreas monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Sutter Creek
Cel-shaded illustration of Sutter Creek
AQI 6
#4Sutter CreekChecking road route

California· Good

Small Gold Country town on Highway 49, a walkable historic Main Street above the valley haze.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1 µg/m³ here vs 2.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1/22 × 7 = 0.3 here; 2.4/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
58% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the San Andreas monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Stockton
Cel-shaded illustration of Stockton
AQI 11
#5Stockton~40 min drive

California· Good

A major California 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 2 µg/m³ here vs 2.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 2.4/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
17% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Stockton - University Park monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Placerville
Cel-shaded illustration of Placerville
AQI 11
#6PlacervilleChecking road route

California· Good

Gold Country town on Highway 50 toward Tahoe, at higher elevation than the Sacramento Valley below.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 2 µg/m³ here vs 2.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 2.4/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
17% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Folsom monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Sacramento
Cel-shaded illustration of Sacramento
AQI 23
#7Sacramento~1 h 30 min drive

California· Good

A major California 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 4.1 µg/m³ here vs 2.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 4.1/22 × 7 = 1.3 here; 2.4/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
71% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Downtown Sacramento - T Street monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Oakhurst
Cel-shaded illustration of Oakhurst
AQI 23
#8OakhurstChecking road route

California· Good

Sierra foothill gateway to Yosemite's South Entrance, near 2,300 feet with a broad lodging base.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 4.2 µg/m³ here vs 2.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 4.2/22 × 7 = 1.3 here; 2.4/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
75% 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
Groveland
Cel-shaded illustration of Groveland
AQI 28
#9GrovelandChecking road route

California· Good

Sierra foothill town on Yosemite's western approach near 3,100 feet, with historic inns and cabins.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 5 µg/m³ here vs 2.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5/22 × 7 = 1.6 here; 2.4/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Modesto

108% 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
San Jose
Cel-shaded illustration of San Jose
AQI 50
#10San Jose~1 h 45 min drive

California· Good

A major California 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 9 µg/m³ here vs 2.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 9/22 × 7 = 2.9 here; 2.4/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Modesto

275% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the San Jose - Knox Ave monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Capitola
Cel-shaded illustration of Capitola
AQI 50
#11CapitolaChecking road route

California· Good

Colorful beach village on Monterey Bay, cooled by onshore marine air, with a walkable esplanade.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 9 µg/m³ here vs 2.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 9/22 × 7 = 2.9 here; 2.4/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Modesto

275% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Santa Cruz AMS monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
San Francisco
Cel-shaded illustration of San Francisco
AQI 53
#12San Francisco~1 h 50 min drive

California· Moderate

A major California 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 10 µg/m³ here vs 2.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 10/22 × 7 = 3.2 here; 2.4/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Modesto

317% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the San Francisco monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
St. Helena
Cel-shaded illustration of St. Helena
AQI 17
#13St. HelenaChecking road route

California· Good

Central Napa Valley wine town beneath Mount St. Helena, with a walkable Main Street of inns.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 3 µg/m³ here vs 2.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 here; 2.4/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
25% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 4:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Sebastopol monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Calistoga
Cel-shaded illustration of Calistoga
AQI 17
#14CalistogaChecking road route

California· Good

Napa Valley spa town at the valley's north end, ringed by hills with a deep base of inns and resorts.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 3 µg/m³ here vs 2.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 here; 2.4/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
25% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 4:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Sebastopol monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Occidental
Cel-shaded illustration of Occidental
AQI 17
#15OccidentalChecking road route

California· Good

Small redwood-forest village in the Sonoma hills, cooler than the valley floor with inns and B&Bs.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 3 µg/m³ here vs 2.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 here; 2.4/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
25% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 4:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Sebastopol monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Nevada City
Cel-shaded illustration of Nevada City
AQI 28
#16Nevada City~2 h 40 min drive

California· Good

Gold Rush town in the Sierra foothills, set at higher elevation than the Central Valley, with restored inns and a walkable historic core.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 5 µg/m³ here vs 2.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5/22 × 7 = 1.6 here; 2.4/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Modesto

108% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Colfax monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Grass Valley
Cel-shaded illustration of Grass Valley
AQI 28
#17Grass ValleyChecking road route

California· Good

Sierra foothill mining town beside Nevada City, with pine-forest air above the Central Valley floor.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 5 µg/m³ here vs 2.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5/22 × 7 = 1.6 here; 2.4/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Modesto

108% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Colfax monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Willits
Cel-shaded illustration of Willits
AQI 4
#18WillitsChecking road route

California· Good

Mendocino County valley town on Highway 101, higher and cooler than the coast with motels.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 0.7 µg/m³ here vs 2.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.7/22 × 7 = 0.2 here; 2.4/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
71% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Willits Blosser Lane monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Mendocino
Cel-shaded illustration of Mendocino
AQI 4
#19Mendocino~5 h 5 min drive

California· Good

Clifftop village on the wild Mendocino Coast, wrapped in cool onshore ocean air, with historic inns and B&Bs.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 0.7 µg/m³ here vs 2.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.7/22 × 7 = 0.2 here; 2.4/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
71% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Willits Blosser Lane monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Fort Bragg
Cel-shaded illustration of Fort Bragg
AQI 4
#20Fort Bragg~5 h 15 min drive

California· Good

Working coastal town on the Mendocino shoreline, swept by open Pacific wind, with motels and rentals just off the water.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 0.7 µg/m³ here vs 2.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.7/22 × 7 = 0.2 here; 2.4/22 × 7 = 0.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
71% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Willits Blosser Lane 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 California →
Anaheim air qualityBakersfield air qualityChico air qualityFresno air qualityLos Angeles air qualityRedding air qualityRiverside air qualitySacramento air qualitySan Bernardino air qualitySan Diego air qualitySan Francisco air qualitySan Jose air qualityStockton air quality
Air quality in nearby cities →
Reno air qualityMedford air qualityLas Vegas air qualityHenderson air qualityBend air qualityEugene air qualityBoise air qualityYuma air qualitySalem air qualityProvo air qualitySalt Lake City air qualityOgden air quality

What this means · Modesto

Good

AQI 13

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 2.4 µg/m³ (Natural), 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 Natural.

2.4 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.

0.8/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 2.4 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at this level: 2.4/22 × 7 = 0.8 cigarettes.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
See the full method →