Worst air pollution Launceston, today and tomorrow

Today (16 July): Air quality in Launceston is medium. AQI and NO2 are medium; PM2.5, PM10, O3, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 8:00 PM (NO2: 52.0/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Launceston is fair. PM1 increases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 12:00 AM (NO2: 47.0/100). 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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Nestled in the Tamar Valley basin, Launceston carries one of Tasmania's most recognisable air quality issues: winter wood heater smoke that settles under cold-air inversions on still nights, sometimes blanketing the city in visible haze. This basin effect traps smoke close to the ground far more than in Tasmania's more exposed towns, making June through August the period of greatest concern. Outside winter, the Roaring Forties westerlies generally deliver clean air typical of the island state. Summer, from January to March, brings a modest bushfire smoke risk. Overall, Launceston's air quality swings from excellent in summer to notably poorer on winter evenings.

Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 20:00

AQI:

Medium

52.0/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Good

14.2/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

4.4/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Medium

52.0/100

O3 (ozone):

Good

14.3/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Good

8.5/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Good

2.6/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Good

16.8/100

Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day

Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 00:00

AQI:

Medium

47.0/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Good

18.4/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

5.7/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Medium

47.0/100

O3 (ozone):

Good

14.4/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Good

6.2/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Good

2.7/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Fair

20.8/100

Sports venues in Launceston

Frequently Asked Questions

Is air quality bad in Launceston right now?

On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Launceston is medium. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 52.0/100. Pollution peaks around 8:00 PM (NO2: 52.0/100).

Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Launceston?

On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Launceston will be worse than today, with PM1 forecast at fair at 20.8/100. Pollution peaks around 12:00 AM (NO2: 47.0/100).

When is air pollution at its worst in Launceston?

Air in Launceston is generally clean, but that changes during winter months, when still, cold nights trap wood-smoke from heaters, especially in valley towns. Aside from those winter evenings, air here is otherwise some of the cleanest in Australia. Keeping half an eye on forecasts during that stretch is the practical takeaway otherwise.

Are air quality levels in Launceston 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