Worst air pollution Parkes, today and tomorrow
Today (16 July): Air quality in Parkes is fair. PM2.5 and PM1 are fair; AQI and NO2 are medium; PM10, O3, SO2, CO, and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 7:00 AM (NO2: 43.9/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Parkes is fair. PM2.5 decreases to good; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 3:00 AM (NO2: 45.1/100). 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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As an inland agricultural service centre in Central West NSW, Parkes' air quality is shaped mainly by farming activity: dust from cropping and livestock operations, seasonal burning of stubble after harvest, and occasional dust storms sweeping off the surrounding plains during dry spells. Traffic and industry are minor by comparison in this rural centre. Spring can also bring grass pollen from the extensive pasture and cropping land surrounding the town, contributing to a seasonal allergy burden typical of inland NSW farming districts, while winter temperature inversions occasionally trap smoke and dust close to the ground overnight.
Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 07:00
AQI:
Medium
43.9/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
26.3/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
8.3/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Medium
43.9/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
15.1/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
7.9/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
2.0/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
27.6/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 03:00
AQI:
Medium
45.1/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
16.9/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
4.8/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Medium
45.1/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
15.4/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
15.5/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
1.9/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
21.5/100
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Parkes right now?
On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Parkes is fair. PM1 is the main pollutant at 27.6/100. Pollution peaks around 7:00 AM (NO2: 43.9/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Parkes?
On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Parkes will be similar to today, with PM1 forecast at fair at 21.5/100. Pollution peaks around 3:00 AM (NO2: 45.1/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Parkes?
Air quality tends to be worst during harvest and post-harvest stubble-burning in summer and early autumn, and during dry spells when westerly winds can whip up dust from bare paddocks; winter mornings can also see smoke settle from wood heaters on still, frosty nights.
Are air quality levels in Parkes 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