Worst air pollution Kabul, today and tomorrow
Today (9 August): Air quality in Kabul is poor. AQI and O3 are poor; PM2.5, NO2, SO2, and PM1 are fair; PM10, CO, and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 12:30 PM (O3: 61.9/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Kabul is poor. SO2 decreases to medium; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 1:30 PM (O3: 61.4/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
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Developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team
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Kabul's air quality reflects the severe Hindu Kush mountain basin enclosure at 1,791 metres, with vehicle traffic on surrounding roads and the extraordinary vehicle density, residential wood and coal burning, and minimal industrial regulation generating some of Central Asia's most severe sustained PM2.5. The basin's near-complete mountain enclosure creates catastrophic winter inversions, while windblown dust from the surrounding Afghan arid steppe compounds emissions and Kabul maintains among the world's most severely challenged major capital environments throughout the winter months.
Today - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 12:30
AQI:
Poor
61.9/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
22.9/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
19.5/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
31.0/100
O3 (ozone):
Poor
61.9/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Fair
31.6/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
5.7/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
20.3/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 13:30
AQI:
Poor
61.4/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
23.7/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
13.7/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
32.7/100
O3 (ozone):
Poor
61.4/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Medium
41.5/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
9.2/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
21.0/100
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Kabul right now?
On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Kabul is poor. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 61.9/100. Pollution peaks around 12:30 PM (O3: 61.9/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Kabul?
On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Kabul will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at poor at 61.4/100. Pollution peaks around 1:30 PM (O3: 61.4/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Kabul?
Air quality in Kabul tends to be worse when road traffic and the surrounding valley traps air close to the ground. Topographic enclosure in the valley lets pollution accumulate rather than clear out. Strong seasonal winds can lift dust from the surrounding dry terrain and push particulate levels sharply higher.
Are air quality levels in Kabul based on measurements or forecasts?
It is forecasts derived by downscaling forecasts provided by EU’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) by taking into account local conditions such as traffic patterns. CAMS bases its forecast on satellite measurements of particles and chemical compounds in the atmosphere. Airmine’s services were developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team.
Why doesn’t the forecast always reflect wildfire impacts?
Airmine’s forecast uses CAMS (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service) as its background atmospheric model. While CAMS includes wildfire emissions, these are derived from satellite observations and are not available in real time. During rapidly evolving wildfire events, there may therefore be a delay before increased emissions are incorporated into the model. As a result, the forecast may temporarily underestimate PM₂.₅ and other pollutants associated with wildfire smoke.
During rapidly evolving wildfire events, CAMS may lag by approximately 1–2 days before increased wildfire emissions are fully represented, which can lead to temporary underestimation of PM₂.₅ concentrations in Airmine’s forecast.
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Data provided by Airmine — Last update: 9 August 2026 at 20:27 CEST (Data is updated four times daily.)
This forecast is produced independently using Airmine's own atmospheric data and models.
Unless explicitly made clear, the content on this site has not been paid for by external organisations and is Airmine's sole responsibility.
Disclaimer: Forecasts are provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice. Actual pollen and air quality conditions may vary from the forecast. If you have allergies, asthma, or another medical condition, consult a healthcare professional. Please see our Terms of Service for important information about limitations of liability.
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