Worst air pollution Katoomba, today and tomorrow
Today (10 August): Air quality in Katoomba is good. AQI, PM2.5, PM10, NO2, O3, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 6:00 AM (O3: 19.3/100).
Tomorrow (11 August 2026): Air quality in Katoomba is good. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 6:00 PM (NO2: 18.5/100). 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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Perched high in the Blue Mountains, Katoomba typically enjoys crisp, clean mountain air for much of the year, aided by elevation and surrounding eucalypt forest. That same forested setting, however, makes it acutely vulnerable to bushfire smoke, and the town was heavily affected during the catastrophic 2019-20 fire season when smoke haze persisted for weeks. Cold winter nights encourage wood heater use, which can settle in valleys and pockets around town under still, frosty conditions. Outside fire and heating seasons, background air quality is excellent.
Today - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 06:00
AQI:
Good
19.3/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
10.2/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
2.8/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
15.1/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
19.3/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
12.7/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
2.4/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
13.6/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 11 August | Pollution peaks at 18:00
AQI:
Good
18.5/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
3.1/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
1.1/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
18.5/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
15.2/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
15.3/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
2.3/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
2.0/100
Pollen forecast in Katoomba
View pollen forecastFrequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Katoomba right now?
On 10 August 2026, overall air quality in Katoomba is good. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 19.3/100. Pollution peaks around 6:00 AM (O3: 19.3/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Katoomba?
On 11 August 2026, air quality conditions in Katoomba will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at good at 18.5/100. Pollution peaks around 6:00 PM (NO2: 18.5/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Katoomba?
In practical terms, Katoomba sees its worst air during the December-to-March bushfire season, when smoke from nearby fires drifts through on hot northerlies. Winter brings a quieter risk too: wood-heater smoke pooling on cold, still nights. Outside that window conditions are usually clear, so check forecasts if you have asthma or other sensitivities.
Are air quality levels in Katoomba 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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