Worst air pollution Pakenham, today and tomorrow
Today (16 July): Air quality in Pakenham is fair. PM1 is fair; AQI and NO2 are medium; PM2.5, PM10, O3, SO2, CO, and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 8:00 PM (NO2: 51.9/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Pakenham is fair. PM2.5 increases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 6:00 PM (NO2: 52.0/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
For long term forecasts and maps, see the Airmine app
Developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team
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As a rapidly expanding outer-suburban town on Melbourne's southeastern fringe, Pakenham's air quality is shaped by its transition from farmland to housing estate, with dust from construction sites and cleared paddocks adding to background traffic emissions along the Princes Highway and rail corridor. Rural burn-offs and occasional bushfire smoke drifting from the Dandenong Ranges or Gippsland can affect the town, particularly in summer.
Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 20:00
AQI:
Medium
51.9/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
17.2/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
5.0/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Medium
51.9/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
12.2/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
12.8/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
3.0/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
21.6/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 18:00
AQI:
Medium
52.0/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
25.4/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
7.1/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Medium
52.0/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
13.8/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
19.4/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
5.7/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
32.0/100
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Pakenham right now?
On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Pakenham is fair. PM1 is the main pollutant at 21.6/100. Pollution peaks around 8:00 PM (NO2: 51.9/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Pakenham?
On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Pakenham will be similar to today, with PM1 forecast at fair at 32.0/100. Pollution peaks around 6:00 PM (NO2: 52.0/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Pakenham?
Air quality worsens most in summer and early autumn when bushfire smoke from the nearby Dandenong Ranges or Gippsland can drift over on northerly winds, and in winter when cooler, stiller nights trap wood smoke and vehicle exhaust close to ground level. Construction dust from the fast-growing estates is a more localised, everyday nuisance the rest of the year.
Are air quality levels in Pakenham 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