Worst air pollution Cowes, today and tomorrow
Today (16 July): Air quality in Cowes is good. AQI, PM2.5, PM10, NO2, O3, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 4:00 PM (O3: 16.0/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Cowes is fair. AQI worsens to fair; PM1 increases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (PM1: 20.3/100). 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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Set on Phillip Island facing Bass Strait, Cowes benefits from strong, near-constant sea breezes that keep the air clean and well-mixed for most of the year, with little local industry or heavy traffic to generate pollution. Tourism brings seasonal increases in vehicle movements, particularly during summer holiday periods, but this remains a minor factor overall. Winter nights can bring some wood heater smoke in more sheltered pockets of town. Dry summer conditions occasionally carry bushfire smoke from mainland fires depending on wind direction. Overall, Cowes typically records very good air quality.
Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 16:00
AQI:
Good
16.0/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
6.2/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
2.2/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
2.8/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
16.0/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
0.5/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
1.2/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
5.3/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 23:00
AQI:
Fair
20.3/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
14.9/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
4.0/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
8.9/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
13.0/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
1.4/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
3.2/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
20.3/100
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Cowes right now?
On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Cowes is good. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 16.0/100. Pollution peaks around 4:00 PM (O3: 16.0/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Cowes?
On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Cowes will be worse than today, with AQI forecast at fair at 20.3/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (PM1: 20.3/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Cowes?
Cowes residents typically notice conditions worsen during the December-to-March bushfire season, when smoke from nearby fires drifts through on hot northerlies. Winter adds its own trouble, with wood-heater smoke lingering on calm, cold nights. Timing outdoor activity around this window and checking daily readings helps limit exposure.
Are air quality levels in Cowes 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