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Topeka air right now

ModerateAQI 56

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

56
AQI now
12
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.

No verified road trips found within 3 hours.Try widening the range. We do not show crow-flight guesses.

Every town is also available in the ranked list.
Topeka Clean · PM2.5 0–5 Good · 5–9 Elevated · 9–15 Polluted · 15–35 Unhealthy · 35–55 Severe · 55+
Top pick
Manhattan
Cel-shaded illustration of Manhattan
AQI 31
#1ManhattanChecking road route

Kansas· Good

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

53% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 5.6 µg/m³ here vs 12 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.6/22 × 7 = 1.8 here; 12/22 × 7 = 3.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

6.4 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Topeka right now

53% 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
Emporia
Cel-shaded illustration of Emporia
AQI 31
#2EmporiaChecking road route

Kansas· Good

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

53% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 5.6 µg/m³ here vs 12 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.6/22 × 7 = 1.8 here; 12/22 × 7 = 3.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

6.4 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Topeka right now

53% 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
Lawrence
Cel-shaded illustration of Lawrence
AQI 37
#3LawrenceChecking road route

Kansas· Good

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

44% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 6.7 µg/m³ here vs 12 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 6.7/22 × 7 = 2.1 here; 12/22 × 7 = 3.8 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 Topeka right now

44% 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
Saint Joseph
Cel-shaded illustration of Saint Joseph
AQI 39
#4Saint JosephChecking road route

Missouri· Good

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

42% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 7 µg/m³ here vs 12 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 7/22 × 7 = 2.2 here; 12/22 × 7 = 3.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

5 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Topeka right now

42% 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
Lee's Summit
Cel-shaded illustration of Lee's Summit
AQI 43
#5Lee's SummitChecking road route

Missouri· Good

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

36% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 7.7 µg/m³ here vs 12 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 7.7/22 × 7 = 2.5 here; 12/22 × 7 = 3.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

4.3 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Topeka right now

36% 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
Kansas City
Cel-shaded illustration of Kansas City
AQI 44
#6Kansas CityChecking road route

Missouri· Good

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

34% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 7.9 µg/m³ here vs 12 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 7.9/22 × 7 = 2.5 here; 12/22 × 7 = 3.8 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 Topeka right now

34% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Troost monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Saint Marys
Cel-shaded illustration of Saint Marys
AQI unavailable
#7Saint MarysChecking 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
Holton
Cel-shaded illustration of Holton
AQI unavailable
#8HoltonChecking 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
Osage City
Cel-shaded illustration of Osage City
AQI unavailable
#9Osage CityChecking 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
Eudora
Cel-shaded illustration of Eudora
AQI unavailable
#10EudoraChecking 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
Tonganoxie
Cel-shaded illustration of Tonganoxie
AQI unavailable
#11TonganoxieChecking 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
Baldwin City
Cel-shaded illustration of Baldwin City
AQI unavailable
#12Baldwin CityChecking 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
Beatrice
Cel-shaded illustration of Beatrice
AQI 47
#13BeatriceChecking road route

Nebraska· Good

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

30% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 8.4 µg/m³ here vs 12 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 8.4/22 × 7 = 2.7 here; 12/22 × 7 = 3.8 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 Topeka right now

30% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Homestead NHP monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Newton
Cel-shaded illustration of Newton
AQI 53
#14NewtonChecking road route

Kansas· Moderate

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

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 10.4 µg/m³ here vs 12 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 10.4/22 × 7 = 3.3 here; 12/22 × 7 = 3.8 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 WHlthDpt monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Oak Grove
Cel-shaded illustration of Oak Grove
AQI unavailable
#15Oak GroveChecking 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
Abilene
Cel-shaded illustration of Abilene
AQI unavailable
#16AbileneChecking 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
Lawson
Cel-shaded illustration of Lawson
AQI unavailable
#17LawsonChecking 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
St. Louis
Cel-shaded illustration of St. Louis
AQI 9
#18St. LouisChecking road route

Missouri· Good

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

86% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 1.7 µg/m³ here vs 12 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.7/22 × 7 = 0.5 here; 12/22 × 7 = 3.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

10.3 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Topeka right now

86% 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
Hermann
Cel-shaded illustration of Hermann
AQI 21
#19HermannChecking road route

Missouri· Good

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

68% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 3.8 µg/m³ here vs 12 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3.8/22 × 7 = 1.2 here; 12/22 × 7 = 3.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

8.2 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Topeka right now

68% 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
Lake Ozark
Cel-shaded illustration of Lake Ozark
AQI 23
#20Lake OzarkChecking road route

Missouri· Good

Resort hub on the Lake of the Ozarks with a large stock of waterfront hotels and rentals.

66% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 4.1 µg/m³ here vs 12 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 4.1/22 × 7 = 1.3 here; 12/22 × 7 = 3.8 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 Topeka right now

66% 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 Kansas →
Wichita air quality
Air quality in nearby cities →
Kansas City air qualityOmaha air qualitySpringfield air qualityTulsa air qualityDes Moines air qualityOklahoma City air qualitySt. Louis air qualitySioux Falls air qualityPeoria air qualityLittle Rock air qualityRockford air qualityMemphis air quality

What this means · Topeka

Moderate

AQI 56

AQI = Air Quality Index

Typical person. Most people can stay active outside.

Kids, seniors, heart or lung conditions. Unusually sensitive people should consider shorter or easier outdoor effort.

The AQI on this page follows fine particles (PM2.5). Particles here are 12 µg/m³ (Elevated), 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 Elevated.

12 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.

3.8/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 12 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at this level: 12/22 × 7 = 3.8 cigarettes.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
See the full method →