SmogRank / Episodes / United States
South-eastern United States, February 2024
For 2 days, from 21 to 22 February 2024, 31 cities in the United States had PM2.5 at least twice their usual for the time of year. The worst reading was Douglas, Georgia, United States: 44.5 µg/m³ on 22 February, about 5.9× its usual 7.6. Ended 22 February.
No cause named We have no fire or smoke records for these days, so we only say what the measurements show.
Cities reached 31 in 1 country
Days 2 21 to 22 February 2024
Worst day 22 February 26 cities counted
Furthest above usual 5.9× Douglas
Day by day
Play 22 February 26 cities at twice their usual or more
Lawrenceville Forest Park Atlanta Valdosta Asheville Athens Maryville Savannah Loudon Knoxville Brunswick Harriman Montgomery Marvin Lake City Hickory Charlotte Kingsport Jacksonville North Charleston Cookeville Fruit Cove Ponte Vedra Beach Decatur Lexington Columbia Conway Red Hill Hendersonville Nashville Greensboro Midway Ferry Pass Fayetteville Clarksville Morrisville Durham Fairhope Prichard Raleigh Augusta Tallahassee Candler-McAfee Hueytown Fairfield Kennesaw Sandersville Spartanburg East Ridge Fairview Warner Robins Greenville Florence Phenix City Athens Albany Chattanooga Dentsville Gainesville Birmingham Huntsville Saint Andrews Clemmons Macon Trussville Leeds Columbus McDonough Winston-Salem Gadsden Douglas 18 Feb 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Every measured city in the area, coloured by its PM2.5 that day; a dark ring marks a city at twice its usual or more. Bars: cities counted each day, coloured by their median level. Choose a day or press play; without JavaScript, the days link to that day's world ranking.
How it spread
Birmingham Birmingham, 18 February: 6.1 µg/m³ Birmingham, 19 February: 11.4 µg/m³ Birmingham, 20 February: 22.3 µg/m³ Birmingham, 21 February: 39.6 µg/m³, 4.0× its usual 9.8 Birmingham, 22 February: 28.0 µg/m³, 2.8× its usual 10.1 Birmingham, 23 February: 6.0 µg/m³ Birmingham, 24 February: 7.0 µg/m³ Birmingham, 25 February: 18.7 µg/m³ Albany Albany, 18 February: 7.9 µg/m³ Albany, 19 February: 21.2 µg/m³ Albany, 20 February: 43.6 µg/m³ Albany, 21 February: 37.2 µg/m³, 3.5× its usual 10.6 Albany, 22 February: 41.7 µg/m³, 3.9× its usual 10.7 Albany, 23 February: 8.5 µg/m³ Albany, 24 February: 7.6 µg/m³ Albany, 25 February: 14.4 µg/m³ Columbus Columbus, 18 February: 8.0 µg/m³ Columbus, 19 February: 11.2 µg/m³ Columbus, 20 February: 17.5 µg/m³ Columbus, 21 February: 36.2 µg/m³, 3.7× its usual 9.7 Columbus, 22 February: 42.1 µg/m³, 4.3× its usual 9.7 Columbus, 23 February: 6.1 µg/m³ Columbus, 24 February: 5.5 µg/m³ Columbus, 25 February: 14.4 µg/m³ Leeds Leeds, 18 February: 6.6 µg/m³ Leeds, 19 February: 7.3 µg/m³ Leeds, 20 February: 14.1 µg/m³ Leeds, 21 February: 34.5 µg/m³, 4.3× its usual 8.0 Leeds, 22 February: 22.4 µg/m³ Leeds, 23 February: 4.9 µg/m³ Leeds, 24 February: 5.4 µg/m³ Leeds, 25 February: 11.5 µg/m³ Trussville Trussville, 18 February: 6.6 µg/m³ Trussville, 19 February: 7.3 µg/m³ Trussville, 20 February: 14.1 µg/m³ Trussville, 21 February: 34.5 µg/m³, 4.3× its usual 8.1 Trussville, 22 February: 22.4 µg/m³ Trussville, 23 February: 4.9 µg/m³ Trussville, 24 February: 5.4 µg/m³ Trussville, 25 February: 11.5 µg/m³ Gadsden Gadsden, 18 February: 5.4 µg/m³ Gadsden, 19 February: 6.5 µg/m³ Gadsden, 20 February: 12.5 µg/m³ Gadsden, 21 February: 31.7 µg/m³, 4.6× its usual 6.9 Gadsden, 22 February: 25.3 µg/m³, 3.6× its usual 7.0 Gadsden, 23 February: 4.8 µg/m³ Gadsden, 24 February: 4.7 µg/m³ Gadsden, 25 February: 8.2 µg/m³ Macon Macon, 18 February: 16.3 µg/m³ Macon, 19 February: 16.9 µg/m³ Macon, 20 February: 30.8 µg/m³ Macon, 21 February: 31.3 µg/m³, 3.0× its usual 10.3 Macon, 22 February: 44.0 µg/m³, 4.2× its usual 10.4 Macon, 23 February: 8.6 µg/m³ Macon, 24 February: 6.9 µg/m³ Macon, 25 February: 9.9 µg/m³ Phenix City Phenix City, 18 February: 6.2 µg/m³ Phenix City, 19 February: 8.5 µg/m³ Phenix City, 20 February: 16.2 µg/m³ Phenix City, 21 February: 31.0 µg/m³, 3.4× its usual 9.1 Phenix City, 22 February: 34.5 µg/m³, 3.8× its usual 9.1 Phenix City, 23 February: 6.1 µg/m³ Phenix City, 24 February: 4.7 µg/m³ Phenix City, 25 February: 10.6 µg/m³ Florence Florence, 18 February: 5.0 µg/m³ Florence, 19 February: 7.0 µg/m³ Florence, 20 February: 8.6 µg/m³ Florence, 21 February: 30.1 µg/m³, 3.8× its usual 7.9 Florence, 22 February: 29.2 µg/m³, 3.7× its usual 8.0 Florence, 23 February: 9.8 µg/m³ Florence, 24 February: 3.8 µg/m³ Florence, 25 February: 4.5 µg/m³ Douglas Douglas, 18 February: 8.0 µg/m³ Douglas, 19 February: 12.8 µg/m³ Douglas, 20 February: 20.0 µg/m³ Douglas, 21 February: 29.6 µg/m³, 3.8× its usual 7.8 Douglas, 22 February: 44.5 µg/m³, 5.9× its usual 7.6 Douglas, 23 February: 8.8 µg/m³ Douglas, 24 February: 6.3 µg/m³ Douglas, 25 February: 5.9 µg/m³ Huntsville Huntsville, 18 February: 5.2 µg/m³ Huntsville, 19 February: 9.7 µg/m³ Huntsville, 20 February: 12.4 µg/m³ Huntsville, 21 February: 29.3 µg/m³, 4.1× its usual 7.1 Huntsville, 22 February: 21.2 µg/m³ Huntsville, 23 February: 4.1 µg/m³ Huntsville, 24 February: 3.7 µg/m³ Huntsville, 25 February: 9.0 µg/m³ Fairfield Fairfield, 18 February: no reading Fairfield, 19 February: no reading Fairfield, 20 February: no reading Fairfield, 21 February: 28.0 µg/m³, 3.3× its usual 8.5 Fairfield, 22 February: 21.1 µg/m³ Fairfield, 23 February: 5.3 µg/m³ Fairfield, 24 February: 6.5 µg/m³ Fairfield, 25 February: 10.8 µg/m³ Hueytown Hueytown, 18 February: no reading Hueytown, 19 February: no reading Hueytown, 20 February: no reading Hueytown, 21 February: 28.0 µg/m³, 3.3× its usual 8.5 Hueytown, 22 February: 21.1 µg/m³ Hueytown, 23 February: 5.3 µg/m³ Hueytown, 24 February: 6.5 µg/m³ Hueytown, 25 February: 10.8 µg/m³ Fairview Fairview, 18 February: 7.7 µg/m³ Fairview, 19 February: 10.6 µg/m³ Fairview, 20 February: 18.3 µg/m³ Fairview, 21 February: 26.9 µg/m³, 3.0× its usual 8.9 Fairview, 22 February: 33.3 µg/m³, 3.5× its usual 9.5 Fairview, 23 February: 5.0 µg/m³ Fairview, 24 February: 4.3 µg/m³ Fairview, 25 February: 16.7 µg/m³ East Ridge East Ridge, 18 February: 7.7 µg/m³ East Ridge, 19 February: 10.6 µg/m³ East Ridge, 20 February: 18.3 µg/m³ East Ridge, 21 February: 26.9 µg/m³, 2.9× its usual 9.4 East Ridge, 22 February: 33.3 µg/m³, 3.5× its usual 9.6 East Ridge, 23 February: 5.0 µg/m³ East Ridge, 24 February: 4.3 µg/m³ East Ridge, 25 February: 16.7 µg/m³ Gainesville Gainesville, 18 February: 5.5 µg/m³ Gainesville, 19 February: 4.9 µg/m³ Gainesville, 20 February: 16.1 µg/m³ Gainesville, 21 February: 26.3 µg/m³, 3.1× its usual 8.4 Gainesville, 22 February: 34.5 µg/m³, 4.0× its usual 8.7 Gainesville, 23 February: 8.2 µg/m³ Gainesville, 24 February: 3.2 µg/m³ Gainesville, 25 February: 5.7 µg/m³ Athens Athens, 18 February: 5.3 µg/m³ Athens, 19 February: 8.5 µg/m³ Athens, 20 February: 19.4 µg/m³ Athens, 21 February: 25.1 µg/m³, 3.4× its usual 7.4 Athens, 22 February: 29.4 µg/m³, 3.9× its usual 7.5 Athens, 23 February: 6.0 µg/m³ Athens, 24 February: 2.8 µg/m³ Athens, 25 February: 9.6 µg/m³ Warner Robins Warner Robins, 18 February: 14.6 µg/m³ Warner Robins, 19 February: 12.0 µg/m³ Warner Robins, 20 February: 21.8 µg/m³ Warner Robins, 21 February: 25.0 µg/m³, 2.7× its usual 9.4 Warner Robins, 22 February: 34.3 µg/m³, 3.6× its usual 9.4 Warner Robins, 23 February: 8.5 µg/m³ Warner Robins, 24 February: 3.8 µg/m³ Warner Robins, 25 February: 7.9 µg/m³ Greenville Greenville, 18 February: 7.7 µg/m³ Greenville, 19 February: 7.4 µg/m³ Greenville, 20 February: 14.8 µg/m³ Greenville, 21 February: 19.3 µg/m³ Greenville, 22 February: 33.0 µg/m³, 3.7× its usual 8.8 Greenville, 23 February: 15.7 µg/m³ Greenville, 24 February: 2.7 µg/m³ Greenville, 25 February: 5.6 µg/m³ Spartanburg Spartanburg, 18 February: 6.3 µg/m³ Spartanburg, 19 February: 10.6 µg/m³ Spartanburg, 20 February: 15.5 µg/m³ Spartanburg, 21 February: 19.9 µg/m³ Spartanburg, 22 February: 32.5 µg/m³, 3.5× its usual 9.2 Spartanburg, 23 February: 17.9 µg/m³ Spartanburg, 24 February: 3.3 µg/m³ Spartanburg, 25 February: 6.4 µg/m³ Dentsville Dentsville, 18 February: 5.1 µg/m³ Dentsville, 19 February: 8.0 µg/m³ Dentsville, 20 February: 9.4 µg/m³ Dentsville, 21 February: 10.8 µg/m³ Dentsville, 22 February: 30.1 µg/m³, 4.0× its usual 7.5 Dentsville, 23 February: 11.7 µg/m³ Dentsville, 24 February: 3.4 µg/m³ Dentsville, 25 February: 4.3 µg/m³ Chattanooga Chattanooga, 18 February: 4.3 µg/m³ Chattanooga, 19 February: 4.9 µg/m³ Chattanooga, 20 February: 10.0 µg/m³ Chattanooga, 21 February: 20.7 µg/m³ Chattanooga, 22 February: 30.1 µg/m³, 4.0× its usual 7.6 Chattanooga, 23 February: 4.6 µg/m³ Chattanooga, 24 February: 3.5 µg/m³ Chattanooga, 25 February: 13.8 µg/m³ Saint Andrews Saint Andrews, 18 February: 6.6 µg/m³ Saint Andrews, 19 February: 9.7 µg/m³ Saint Andrews, 20 February: 9.1 µg/m³ Saint Andrews, 21 February: 11.0 µg/m³ Saint Andrews, 22 February: 29.8 µg/m³, 4.1× its usual 7.3 Saint Andrews, 23 February: 13.2 µg/m³ Saint Andrews, 24 February: 4.0 µg/m³ Saint Andrews, 25 February: 4.7 µg/m³ Augusta Augusta, 18 February: 6.4 µg/m³ Augusta, 19 February: 16.6 µg/m³ Augusta, 20 February: 37.4 µg/m³ Augusta, 21 February: 17.6 µg/m³ Augusta, 22 February: 29.5 µg/m³, 2.7× its usual 11.1 Augusta, 23 February: 9.0 µg/m³ Augusta, 24 February: 3.0 µg/m³ Augusta, 25 February: 6.3 µg/m³ Winston-Salem Winston-Salem, 18 February: 5.5 µg/m³ Winston-Salem, 19 February: 5.5 µg/m³ Winston-Salem, 20 February: 8.7 µg/m³ Winston-Salem, 21 February: 11.3 µg/m³ Winston-Salem, 22 February: 28.9 µg/m³, 4.4× its usual 6.5 Winston-Salem, 23 February: 23.9 µg/m³ Winston-Salem, 24 February: 3.9 µg/m³ Winston-Salem, 25 February: 4.5 µg/m³ Sandersville Sandersville, 18 February: 11.5 µg/m³ Sandersville, 19 February: 16.9 µg/m³ Sandersville, 20 February: 18.8 µg/m³ Sandersville, 21 February: 21.3 µg/m³ Sandersville, 22 February: 28.3 µg/m³, 3.4× its usual 8.4 Sandersville, 23 February: 9.3 µg/m³ Sandersville, 24 February: 4.7 µg/m³ Sandersville, 25 February: 16.1 µg/m³ Clemmons Clemmons, 18 February: 5.3 µg/m³ Clemmons, 19 February: 6.1 µg/m³ Clemmons, 20 February: 10.2 µg/m³ Clemmons, 21 February: 11.3 µg/m³ Clemmons, 22 February: 27.3 µg/m³, 4.2× its usual 6.5 Clemmons, 23 February: 23.5 µg/m³ Clemmons, 24 February: 3.4 µg/m³ Clemmons, 25 February: 4.6 µg/m³ Tallahassee Tallahassee, 18 February: 5.8 µg/m³ Tallahassee, 19 February: 8.5 µg/m³ Tallahassee, 20 February: 14.8 µg/m³ Tallahassee, 21 February: 21.0 µg/m³ Tallahassee, 22 February: 27.3 µg/m³, 3.1× its usual 8.9 Tallahassee, 23 February: 8.2 µg/m³ Tallahassee, 24 February: 5.7 µg/m³ Tallahassee, 25 February: 7.6 µg/m³ Kennesaw Kennesaw, 18 February: 6.9 µg/m³ Kennesaw, 19 February: 9.7 µg/m³ Kennesaw, 20 February: 16.9 µg/m³ Kennesaw, 21 February: 21.7 µg/m³ Kennesaw, 22 February: 27.0 µg/m³, 3.4× its usual 7.9 Kennesaw, 23 February: 5.4 µg/m³ Kennesaw, 24 February: 3.6 µg/m³ Kennesaw, 25 February: 6.4 µg/m³ Candler-McAfee Candler-McAfee, 18 February: 5.2 µg/m³ Candler-McAfee, 19 February: 6.6 µg/m³ Candler-McAfee, 20 February: 19.8 µg/m³ Candler-McAfee, 21 February: 16.6 µg/m³ Candler-McAfee, 22 February: 26.5 µg/m³, 3.2× its usual 8.4 Candler-McAfee, 23 February: 5.7 µg/m³ Candler-McAfee, 24 February: 3.1 µg/m³ Candler-McAfee, 25 February: 7.2 µg/m³ McDonough McDonough, 18 February: 4.5 µg/m³ McDonough, 19 February: 4.8 µg/m³ McDonough, 20 February: 12.8 µg/m³ McDonough, 21 February: 19.5 µg/m³ McDonough, 22 February: 25.7 µg/m³, 4.4× its usual 5.8 McDonough, 23 February: 5.7 µg/m³ McDonough, 24 February: 2.9 µg/m³ McDonough, 25 February: 4.6 µg/m³ 18 Feb 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Every counted city, in the order the episode reached them, 3 days before to 3 after. Each square is a day, coloured by that day's PM2.5; outlined: at twice the city's usual or more. Good 0–50
Moderate 51–100
Sensitive groups 101–150
Unhealthy 151–200
Very unhealthy 201–300
Hazardous 301+
Every city it reached
City Days Highest Usual Above usual
Douglas Georgia, United States 2 22 February 7.6 5.9× Gadsden Alabama, United States 2 21 February 6.9 4.6× Winston-Salem North Carolina, United States 1 22 February 6.5 4.4× McDonough Georgia, United States 1 22 February 5.8 4.4× Columbus Georgia, United States 2 22 February 9.7 4.3× Leeds Alabama, United States 1 21 February 8.0 4.3× Trussville Alabama, United States 1 21 February 8.1 4.3× Macon Georgia, United States 2 22 February 10.4 4.2× Clemmons North Carolina, United States 1 22 February 6.5 4.2× Saint Andrews South Carolina, United States 1 22 February 7.3 4.1× Huntsville Alabama, United States 1 21 February 7.1 4.1× Birmingham Alabama, United States 2 21 February 9.8 4.0× Gainesville Georgia, United States 2 22 February 8.7 4.0× Dentsville South Carolina, United States 1 22 February 7.5 4.0× Chattanooga Tennessee, United States 1 22 February 7.6 4.0× Albany Georgia, United States 2 22 February 10.7 3.9× Athens Georgia, United States 2 22 February 7.5 3.9× Phenix City Alabama, United States 2 22 February 9.1 3.8× Florence South Carolina, United States 2 21 February 7.9 3.8× Greenville South Carolina, United States 1 22 February 8.8 3.7× Warner Robins Georgia, United States 2 22 February 9.4 3.6× Fairview Georgia, United States 2 22 February 9.5 3.5× East Ridge Tennessee, United States 2 22 February 9.6 3.5× Spartanburg South Carolina, United States 1 22 February 9.2 3.5× Sandersville Georgia, United States 1 22 February 8.4 3.4× Kennesaw Georgia, United States 1 22 February 7.9 3.4× Fairfield Alabama, United States 1 21 February 8.5 3.3× Hueytown Alabama, United States 1 21 February 8.5 3.3× Candler-McAfee Georgia, United States 1 22 February 8.4 3.2× Tallahassee Florida, United States 1 22 February 8.9 3.1× Augusta Georgia, United States 1 22 February 11.1 2.7×
Daily means in µg/m³, over the days each city counted in this episode. Highest: its highest of those days. Usual: the city's median for the time of year of that day (its days within 21 days of the date, every year, leaving out the week around it). Above usual: its highest day against that, with a usual under 5 µg/m³ taken as 5.
Against other episodes in the United States
Number 43 of 151 episodes in the United States since our records began, by cities reached.
Eastern United States and Canada, June and July 2023 343 Northern United States and Canada, July 2026 327 United States and Canada, July 2023 322 Eastern United States and Canada, May and June 2023 317 North-eastern United States and Canada, 29 July to 9 August 2025 292 Northern United States and Canada, May and June 2025 247 United States and Canada, June 2023 195 North-western United States and Canada, August 2023 176 North-western United States and Canada, 4 to 22 August 2026 151 Northern United States and Canada, July 2025 139 Northern United States and Canada, June 2025 134 North-western United States and Canada, July and August 2026 118 South-eastern United States, February 2024 31 Bars: cities reached; colour: the level of the episode's highest daily reading. All 151 .
Use this page SmogRank, South-eastern United States, February 2024: 31 cities with PM2.5 at twice their usual or more, 21 to 22 February 2024, smogrank.com/episodes/2024-02-south-eastern-united-states (accessed 5 October 2026).
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You're welcome to reuse a single chart, image or figure with this citation and a link. Terms .
An episode is a run of days when many cities close to each other (four or more within 350 km on a day, 8 or more in all) each had a daily PM2.5 mean of at least 25 µg/m³ and at least 2 times their usual for that time of year. Found in our own measurements, not picked by hand. How we find episodes . Values are each city's daily mean of its own monitors; causes are the usual kinds for a pattern like this, not a confirmed source.
