Worst air pollution Katherine, today and tomorrow
Today (16 July): Air quality in Katherine is fair. AQI and NO2 are fair; PM2.5, PM10, O3, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 2:30 AM (NO2: 23.8/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Katherine is fair. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 11:30 PM (NO2: 24.2/100). 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 - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 02:30
AQI:
Fair
23.8/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
12.0/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
3.5/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
23.8/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
18.4/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
5.6/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
3.9/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
14.7/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 23:30
AQI:
Fair
24.2/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
11.4/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
3.7/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
24.2/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
19.8/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
5.2/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
3.3/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
15.0/100
Pollen forecast in Katherine
View pollen forecastFrequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Katherine right now?
On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Katherine is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 23.8/100. Pollution peaks around 2:30 AM (NO2: 23.8/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Katherine?
On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Katherine will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 24.2/100. Pollution peaks around 11:30 PM (NO2: 24.2/100).
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.
Want to see air quality forecasts for other cities in Australia?
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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