Outdoor exercise
Is it safe to run in Washington, D.C. today?
Live AQI and the best running window for Washington, D.C. based on Open-Meteo hourly forecasts.
Running today
Yes — generally safe for outdoor running
Current conditions are good for outdoor running, including longer or higher-intensity sessions. Sensitive groups — young children, older adults, and people with asthma or heart conditions — can generally exercise outdoors as normal, but it is still worth checking the hourly forecast below in case conditions shift later in the day.
Current AQI in Washington, D.C.
71
Fair
Updated 20 Jul 2026, 10:00
Best window to run (next 12h)
20:00 – 21:00 · lowest ~55 AQI
Hourly AQI (next 12 hours)
Now
80
11:00
80
12:00
79
13:00
77
14:00
76
15:00
75
16:00
74
17:00
74
18:00
71
19:00
68
20:00
62
21:00
55
What affects air quality for runners in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. sits in a humid mid-Atlantic basin where traffic emissions, power-sector influences, and summer ozone chemistry combine. Nitrogen dioxide hotspots track major arterials and the Beltway, while fine particles can build during stagnant weather.