Worst air pollution Kabul, today and tomorrow
Today (16 July): Air quality in Kabul is poor. AQI and O3 are poor; NO2 is fair; SO2 is medium; PM2.5, PM10, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 2:30 PM (O3: 73.3/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Kabul is poor. PM2.5 increases to fair; SO2 increases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 1:30 PM (O3: 75.2/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
For long term forecasts and maps, see the Airmine app
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 - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 14:30
AQI:
Poor
73.3/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
15.2/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
5.8/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
34.5/100
O3 (ozone):
Poor
73.3/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Medium
40.7/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
7.0/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
15.6/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 13:30
AQI:
Poor
75.2/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
21.3/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
7.8/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
33.7/100
O3 (ozone):
Poor
75.2/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Fair
32.5/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
6.7/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
19.8/100
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Kabul right now?
On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Kabul is poor. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 73.3/100. Pollution peaks around 2:30 PM (O3: 73.3/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Kabul?
On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Kabul will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at poor at 75.2/100. Pollution peaks around 1:30 PM (O3: 75.2/100).
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.
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Data provided by Airmine — Last update: 16 July 2026 at 10:33 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.
For long term forecasts and maps, see the Airmine app