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Richmond air right now

GoodAQI 37

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

37
AQI now
6.7
PM2.5 · µg/m³
2 cleaner spots 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.

Front Royal looks like the better move.54% cleaner air with a verified 2 h 40 min road trip. Rankings balance cleaner air with trip ease.

Every town is also available in the ranked list.
Richmond Clean · PM2.5 0–5 Good · 5–9 Elevated · 9–15 Polluted · 15–35 Unhealthy · 35–55 Severe · 55+
Top pick
Charlottesville
Cel-shaded illustration of Charlottesville
AQI 19
#1Charlottesville~1 h 25 min drive

Virginia· Good

Blue Ridge foothills college city, with mountain-edge air, vineyards nearby and a broad base of hotels and inns.

48% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 3.5 µg/m³ here vs 6.7 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3.5/22 × 7 = 1.1 here; 6.7/22 × 7 = 2.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.2 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Richmond right now

48% 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
Williamsburg
Cel-shaded illustration of Williamsburg
AQI 36
#2WilliamsburgChecking road route

Virginia· Good

Colonial capital between the James and York rivers, with tidewater air and an extensive hotel base.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 6.4 µg/m³ here vs 6.7 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 6.4/22 × 7 = 2.0 here; 6.7/22 × 7 = 2.1 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 HAMPTON - NASA monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Norfolk
Cel-shaded illustration of Norfolk
AQI 41
#3Norfolk~1 h 55 min drive

Virginia· Good

A major Virginia 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 7.4 µg/m³ here vs 6.7 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 7.4/22 × 7 = 2.4 here; 6.7/22 × 7 = 2.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
10% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the NORFOLK - NOAA monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Bellwood
Cel-shaded illustration of Bellwood
AQI unavailable
#4BellwoodChecking road route

Virginia

Virginia 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
Chesterfield Court House
Cel-shaded illustration of Chesterfield Court House
AQI unavailable
#5Chesterfield Court HouseChecking road route

Virginia

Virginia 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
Midlothian
Cel-shaded illustration of Midlothian
AQI unavailable
#6MidlothianChecking road route

Virginia

Virginia 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
Short Pump
Cel-shaded illustration of Short Pump
AQI unavailable
#7Short PumpChecking road route

Virginia

Virginia 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
Chester
Cel-shaded illustration of Chester
AQI unavailable
#8ChesterChecking road route

Virginia

Virginia 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
Brandermill
Cel-shaded illustration of Brandermill
AQI unavailable
#9BrandermillChecking road route

Virginia

Virginia 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
Wyndham
Cel-shaded illustration of Wyndham
AQI unavailable
#10WyndhamChecking road route

Virginia

Virginia 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
Ashland
Cel-shaded illustration of Ashland
AQI unavailable
#11AshlandChecking road route

Virginia

Virginia 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
Enon
Cel-shaded illustration of Enon
AQI unavailable
#12EnonChecking road route

Virginia

Virginia 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
Front Royal
Cel-shaded illustration of Front Royal
AQI 17
#13Front Royal~2 h 40 min drive

Virginia· Good

Northern gateway to Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park, a valley town with cool upland air and highway-close lodging.

54% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 3.1 µg/m³ here vs 6.7 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3.1/22 × 7 = 1.0 here; 6.7/22 × 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 Richmond right now

54% 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
Wintergreen
Cel-shaded illustration of Wintergreen
AQI 19
#14WintergreenChecking road route

Virginia· Good

Blue Ridge mountaintop resort above 3,800 feet, a cool forested base with slopeside condos and lodges.

48% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 3.5 µg/m³ here vs 6.7 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3.5/22 × 7 = 1.1 here; 6.7/22 × 7 = 2.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.2 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Richmond right now

48% 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
Staunton
Cel-shaded illustration of Staunton
AQI 19
#15StauntonChecking road route

Virginia· Good

Shenandoah Valley town ringed by the Blue Ridge and Alleghenies, with a walkable historic downtown of inns.

48% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 3.5 µg/m³ here vs 6.7 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3.5/22 × 7 = 1.1 here; 6.7/22 × 7 = 2.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.2 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Richmond right now

48% 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
Lexington
Cel-shaded illustration of Lexington
AQI 24
#16LexingtonChecking road route

Virginia· Good

Shenandoah Valley college town set between two mountain ranges, with a compact base of inns and B&Bs.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 4.3 µg/m³ here vs 6.7 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 4.3/22 × 7 = 1.4 here; 6.7/22 × 7 = 2.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

2.4 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Richmond right now

36% 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
Luray
Cel-shaded illustration of Luray
AQI 26
#17Luray~2 h 45 min drive

Virginia· Good

Shenandoah Valley town below the Blue Ridge and Skyline Drive, a caverns-and-hiking base with cool valley air and inns.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 4.7 µg/m³ here vs 6.7 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 4.7/22 × 7 = 1.5 here; 6.7/22 × 7 = 2.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
30% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Shenandoah NP monitor.

Directions
Geneva
Cel-shaded illustration of Geneva
AQI 7
#18GenevaChecking road route

New York· Good

Lakefront small city at the head of Seneca Lake, a wine-country base with historic hotels and open-water exposure.

81% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 1.3 µg/m³ here vs 6.7 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.3/22 × 7 = 0.4 here; 6.7/22 × 7 = 2.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

5.4 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Richmond right now

81% 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
Penn Yan
Cel-shaded illustration of Penn Yan
AQI 8
#19Penn YanChecking road route

New York· Good

Village at the north end of Keuka Lake in the Finger Lakes, with lakefront inns and open-water air.

79% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 1.4 µg/m³ here vs 6.7 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.4/22 × 7 = 0.4 here; 6.7/22 × 7 = 2.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

5.3 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Richmond right now

79% 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
Ellicottville
Cel-shaded illustration of Ellicottville
AQI 9
#20EllicottvilleChecking road route

New York· Good

Enchanted Mountains ski-and-hike town in western New York, a walkable four-season base with cool upland air and abundant lodging.

76% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 1.6 µg/m³ here vs 6.7 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.6/22 × 7 = 0.5 here; 6.7/22 × 7 = 2.1 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

5.1 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Richmond right now

76% 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 Virginia →
Norfolk air qualityVirginia Beach air quality
Air quality in nearby cities →
Washington, D.C. air qualityBaltimore air qualityDurham air qualityRaleigh air qualityGreensboro air qualityWinston-Salem air qualityHarrisburg air qualityPhiladelphia air qualityAllentown air qualityPittsburgh air qualityCharlotte air qualityScranton air quality

What this means · Richmond

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 6.7 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.

6.7 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 6.7 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at this level: 6.7/22 × 7 = 2.1 cigarettes.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
See the full method →