Rochester, MN Air Quality Index (AQI)
Wondering whether the smoke over Rochester is bad enough to stay inside? The reading above is the official AirNow AQI for the Rochester area, refreshed continuously. Smoke risk here spikes when Canadian wildfire plumes ride the jet stream south — increasingly a summer fixture. Nearby St. Paul often tracks close behind.
About air quality in Rochester
Rochester is the 3rd most populous of the 4 Minnesota cities we track, with a population of about 121,395, in Olmsted County.
Smoke risk here concentrates in June through August, driven by Canadian boreal fire smoke riding the jet stream south — increasingly a summer fixture rather than an exception. Outside that window an elevated reading in Rochester is more likely to be local — traffic, dust, or a temperature inversion holding everyday pollution near the ground — than wildfire smoke, and the dominant pollutant shown above is what tells the two apart.
How local is this reading? The AQI above is reported for a monitoring area, not for a street address. The nearest city we track is St. Paul, MN, about 72 miles away — far enough that conditions between the two can differ substantially, and worth checking both during an active plume.
Today & tomorrow
What each level means
| AQI | Level | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 0–50 | Good | A great day to be active outside. |
| 51–100 | Moderate | Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors and watch for symptoms. |
| 101–150 | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | Sensitive groups should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors, take more breaks, and reschedule strenuous activities. |
| 151–200 | Unhealthy | Everyone should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors; sensitive groups should move activities indoors or reschedule. |
| 201–300 | Very Unhealthy | Everyone should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion and move activities indoors; sensitive groups should stay indoors and keep activity low. |
| 301–500 | Hazardous | Everyone should avoid all physical activity outdoors; stay indoors with clean air and keep activity low. |
Guidance paraphrased from EPA. Not medical advice — see disclaimer.
Nearby cities
All Minnesota cities · Smoke & your health · Can I go outside?
Rochester air quality FAQ
What is the air quality in Rochester right now?
The live AQI for Rochester, MN is shown at the top of this page, sourced from AirNow (U.S. EPA) and computed with the 2024 EPA standard, with the observation time and source labeled.
Is it safe to go outside in Rochester today?
It depends on the current AQI and whether you're in a sensitive group. At AQI 101–150 sensitive groups should cut back on prolonged outdoor exertion; at 151+ everyone should. Use our "Can I go outside?" tool for tailored guidance.
Why does Rochester's AQI here match AirNow?
Because AirNow is our display truth for US monitors — we show its reported number, never a self-computed value that disagrees with it for the same monitor.
When is wildfire smoke worst in Minnesota?
Smoke here is usually worst in summer when Canadian or Western wildfire plumes drift over the region.