Worst air pollution Katherine, today and tomorrow
Today (10 August): Air quality in Katherine is fair. PM2.5, O3, and PM1 are fair; AQI and NO2 are medium; PM10, SO2, CO, and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 11:30 PM (NO2: 41.4/100).
Tomorrow (11 August 2026): Air quality in Katherine is fair. PM2.5 decreases to medium; PM1 decreases to medium; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 2:30 AM (NO2: 46.2/100). 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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Gateway to the Top End's outback, Katherine experiences the classic seasonal rhythm of northern Australia's tropical monsoon climate, with dry-season months from June to October bringing the year's main air quality driver: smoke from managed savanna burning and occasional wildfires across the surrounding bushland. The wet season, November through April, swings conditions the other way, bringing high humidity, mould risk, and cyclone potential rather than smoke. Short-lived dust events are common in the October to November build-up before the rains return. Outside these episodes, reliable trade winds keep background air quality generally good, consistent with the wider Top End region.
Today - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 23:30
AQI:
Medium
41.4/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
32.2/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
9.7/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Medium
41.4/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
24.2/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
11.4/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
10.3/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
36.4/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 11 August | Pollution peaks at 02:30
AQI:
Medium
46.2/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Medium
40.1/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
12.5/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Medium
46.2/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
28.9/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
14.3/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
12.2/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Medium
41.4/100
Pollen forecast in Katherine
View pollen forecastFrequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Katherine right now?
On 10 August 2026, overall air quality in Katherine is fair. PM1 is the main pollutant at 36.4/100. Pollution peaks around 11:30 PM (NO2: 41.4/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Katherine?
On 11 August 2026, air quality conditions in Katherine will be similar to today, with O3 forecast at fair at 28.9/100. Pollution peaks around 2:30 AM (NO2: 46.2/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Katherine?
Katherine's air quality follows a fairly predictable pattern, souring during the dry season (roughly June to October), when savanna and grass fires across the north send smoke drifting into town on the prevailing trade winds. The wet (November-April) clears the smoke but brings humidity, downpours and occasional cyclones instead. It's worth checking daily readings during that period, since the rest of the year rarely causes concern.
Are air quality levels in Katherine 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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