Worst air pollution Cataract Gorge - Launceston, today and tomorrow
Today (10 August): Air quality in Cataract Gorge is medium. AQI and NO2 are medium; PM2.5, PM10, O3, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 12:00 AM (NO2: 40.7/100).
Tomorrow (11 August 2026): Air quality in Cataract Gorge is medium. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 8:00 AM (NO2: 40.2/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
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Cataract Gorge sits on cliffs at the edge of central Launceston, and while this elevated, exposed reserve itself enjoys good local air movement, it sits right alongside a city famous for some of the worst winter wood-smoke inversions in Australia, a product of Launceston's enclosed river-valley basin trapping cold air overnight. Bushfire smoke is a periodic summer risk. Outside winter, the Roaring Forties generally deliver clean background air, but the gorge's proximity to the basin means smoke can still drift through.
Today - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 00:00
AQI:
Medium
40.7/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
10.7/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
3.6/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Medium
40.7/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
15.3/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
12.7/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
1.7/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
9.7/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 11 August | Pollution peaks at 08:00
AQI:
Medium
40.2/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
10.3/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
4.2/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Medium
40.2/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
15.4/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
7.0/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
1.3/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
7.4/100
Other Landmarks in Launceston
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Cataract Gorge right now?
On 10 August 2026, overall air quality in Cataract Gorge is medium. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 40.7/100. Pollution peaks around 12:00 AM (NO2: 40.7/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Cataract Gorge?
On 11 August 2026, air quality conditions in Cataract Gorge will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at medium at 40.2/100. Pollution peaks around 8:00 AM (NO2: 40.2/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Cataract Gorge?
Launceston sits in a valley basin prone to trapping cold air, and the Cataract Gorge area is no exception, seeing its worst air quality on cold, still winter nights when wood-heater smoke settles and struggles to disperse. Outside winter, expect Tasmania's westerly winds to keep the air notably clean.
Are air quality levels in Cataract Gorge 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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