Cities Where Air Quality Will Be Worst Today

By Evan Comen  •  June 30, 2025
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This week, stagnant summer heat and regional pollution are combining to drive up fine particulate matter across parts of the South and central U.S. In several major metro areas, PM2.5 concentrations are forecast to approach or exceed levels considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.

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The National Weather Service has issued air quality alerts for 78 counties nationwide, representing more than 25 million Americans. While coastal breezes and summer storms typically help clear out air pollution, a lack of atmospheric mixing is allowing pollution to linger in populated areas throughout Texas and Florida. While the EPA standard for healthy air is 9.0 micrograms of particulate matter per cubic meter of air year-round, pollution is forecast to more than double that in some major cities. A closer look at the data reveals where particulate matter concentration will be highest today.

To determine the cities where air quality will be worst, Climate Crisis 247 reviewed data on particulate matter forecasts from the EPA’s AirNow platform. Cities were ranked based on the forecast concentration of 24-hour PM2.5 pollution for June 30, 2025. Only cities with at least 50,000 residents were considered. Supplemental data on forecast temperature maximums are from NOAA.

25. Quincy, MA

Photo by Navin Hardyal on Unsplash

  • Forecast particulate matter, June 30: 15.7 µg/m³
  • Forecast high, June 30: 81.9°F
  • Population: 100,981
 

24. Port St. Lucie, FL

Photo by Alexa Kayman on Unsplash

  • Forecast particulate matter, June 30: 15.7 µg/m³
  • Forecast high, June 30: 88.1°F
  • Population: 210,520
 

23. Jupiter, FL

Photo by Richard Sagredo on Unsplash

  • Forecast particulate matter, June 30: 15.7 µg/m³
  • Forecast high, June 30: 87.3°F
  • Population: 60,926
 

22. Port Charlotte, FL

Photo by vielefotos on Pixabay

  • Forecast particulate matter, June 30: 15.7 µg/m³
  • Forecast high, June 30: 90.6°F
  • Population: 63,913
 

21. Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Photo by Vincent Gerbouin on Pexels

  • Forecast particulate matter, June 30: 15.8 µg/m³
  • Forecast high, June 30: 88.6°F
  • Population: 59,088
 

20. Pasadena, TX

Photo by Elmer Cañas on Unsplash

  • Forecast particulate matter, June 30: 15.8 µg/m³
  • Forecast high, June 30: 90.2°F
  • Population: 150,620
 

19. Wellington, FL

Photo by Javel Williams on Unsplash

  • Forecast particulate matter, June 30: 15.9 µg/m³
  • Forecast high, June 30: 89.9°F
  • Population: 61,373
 

18. North Port, FL

Photo by DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ on Pexels

  • Forecast particulate matter, June 30: 16.0 µg/m³
  • Forecast high, June 30: 90.6°F
  • Population: 76,975
 

17. The Villages, FL

Photo by Michael Hamments on Unsplash

  • Forecast particulate matter, June 30: 16.0 µg/m³
  • Forecast high, June 30: 88.1°F
  • Population: 79,108
 

16. Port Arthur, TX

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels

  • Forecast particulate matter, June 30: 16.0 µg/m³
  • Forecast high, June 30: 87.8°F
  • Population: 55,897
 

15. Bonita Springs, FL

Photo by Josh Sorenson on Unsplash

Forecast particulate matter, June 30: 16.3 µg/m³

Forecast high, June 30: 90.4°F

Population: 53,945

 

14. Town 'n' Country, FL

Photo by Kate on Unsplash

  • Forecast particulate matter, June 30: 16.3 µg/m³
  • Forecast high, June 30: 90.8°F
  • Population: 89,456
 

13. Tampa, FL

Photo by Kristina Volgenau on Unsplash

  • Forecast particulate matter, June 30: 16.5 µg/m³
  • Forecast high, June 30: 90.0°F
  • Population: 388,768
 

12. Kenner, LA

Photo by zmortero on Pixabay

  • Forecast particulate matter, June 30: 16.6 µg/m³
  • Forecast high, June 30: 91.4°F
  • Population: 65,785
 

11. Baton Rouge, LA

Photo by Leo_Visions on Unsplash

  • Forecast particulate matter, June 30: 16.6 µg/m³
  • Forecast high, June 30: 91.1°F
  • Population: 225,500
 

10. Cape Coral, FL

Photo by Jaimie D on Unsplash

  • Forecast particulate matter, June 30: 16.7 µg/m³
  • Forecast high, June 30: 90.4°F
  • Population: 198,912
 

9. Winter Haven, FL

Photo by Paul Groom Photography Bristol on Pexels

  • Forecast particulate matter, June 30: 17.1 µg/m³
  • Forecast high, June 30: 90.2°F
  • Population: 50,778
 

8. New Orleans, LA

Photo by mana5280 on Unsplash

  • Forecast particulate matter, June 30: 17.2 µg/m³
  • Forecast high, June 30: 89.1°F
  • Population: 380,408
 

7. Metairie, LA

Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash

  • Forecast particulate matter, June 30: 17.4 µg/m³
  • Forecast high, June 30: 91.6°F
  • Population: 140,046
 

6. Lafayette, LA

Photo by Nicole Herrero on Unsplash

  • Forecast particulate matter, June 30: 17.7 µg/m³
  • Forecast high, June 30: 89.4°F
  • Population: 121,706
 

5. Spring Hill, FL

Photo by Jacob Evans on Pexels

  • Forecast particulate matter, June 30: 17.7 µg/m³
  • Forecast high, June 30: 89.2°F
  • Population: 116,882
 

4. Victorville, CA

Photo by Silvia Munoz on Unsplash

  • Forecast particulate matter, June 30: 18.2 µg/m³
  • Forecast high, June 30: 94.6°F
  • Population: 134,417
 

3. Wesley Chapel, FL

Photo by Jacob Evans on Pexels

  • Forecast particulate matter, June 30: 18.3 µg/m³
  • Forecast high, June 30: 90.8°F
  • Population: 68,814
 

2. Lakeland, FL

Photo by Laura Helferich on Unsplash

  • Forecast particulate matter, June 30: 18.8 µg/m³
  • Forecast high, June 30: 90.7°F
  • Population: 114,404
 

1. Wichita, KS

Photo by Samuel Myles on Unsplash

  • Forecast particulate matter, June 30: 21.8 µg/m³
  • Forecast high, June 30: 94.1°F
  • Population: 395,951
 

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