Worst air pollution Mount Isa, today and tomorrow

Today (16 July): Air quality in Mount Isa is good. AQI, PM2.5, PM10, NO2, O3, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 4:00 PM (O3: 16.3/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Mount Isa is good. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 5:00 PM (O3: 17.7/100). 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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Air quality in Mount Isa is strongly influenced by its long-established copper, lead, silver and zinc mining and smelting operations, which have historically been a significant local source of emissions alongside natural dust from the surrounding arid landscape. Low humidity and limited rainfall mean dust can persist longer between rain events. Away from the mine and smelter precinct, background air is typical of remote inland Australia, with periodic dust storms adding to the picture, especially during dry, windy conditions.

Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 16:00

AQI:

Good

16.3/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Good

0.5/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

0.2/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Good

0.8/100

O3 (ozone):

Good

16.3/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Good

1.5/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Good

1.1/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Good

0.5/100

Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day

Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 17:00

AQI:

Good

17.7/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Good

1.9/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

0.7/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Good

0.9/100

O3 (ozone):

Good

17.7/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Good

2.2/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Good

1.3/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Good

1.3/100

Pollen forecast in Mount Isa

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is air quality bad in Mount Isa right now?

On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Mount Isa is good. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 16.3/100. Pollution peaks around 4:00 PM (O3: 16.3/100).

Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Mount Isa?

On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Mount Isa will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at good at 17.7/100. Pollution peaks around 5:00 PM (O3: 17.7/100).

When is air pollution at its worst in Mount Isa?

Air quality tends to be at its worst in Mount Isa during still, dry conditions when smelter and mine-related emissions combine with natural dust, and during windy periods that lift loose soil from the surrounding semi-arid country. Expect these effects to be most noticeable close to the industrial precinct rather than uniformly across the town. Longer dry spells without rain to settle dust tend to see conditions build up gradually before a change or rain provides relief.

Are air quality levels in Mount Isa 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.

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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