Worst air pollution Queenstown, today and tomorrow

Today (16 July): Air quality in Queenstown is good. AQI, PM2.5, PM10, NO2, O3, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 2:00 PM (O3: 16.7/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Queenstown is good. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 2:00 PM (O3: 16.4/100). 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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Ringed by bare, historically mined hills that still bear the scars of a century of copper smelting, Queenstown has a striking mountainous setting on Tasmania's rugged west coast. The old mining landscape means little vegetation remains to generate bushfire smoke, though the surrounding terrain can still trap air on still days. Wood heater smoke is a winter consideration here as in many Tasmanian towns, particularly given the town's valley-like position among the hills. For most of the year, the Roaring Forties keep the west coast well ventilated. Overall air quality is generally good outside these localised winter conditions.

Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 14:00

AQI:

Good

16.7/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Good

3.2/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

1.4/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Good

1.6/100

O3 (ozone):

Good

16.7/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Good

0.6/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Good

0.4/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Good

0.7/100

Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day

Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 14:00

AQI:

Good

16.4/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Good

6.0/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

2.4/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Good

1.1/100

O3 (ozone):

Good

16.4/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Good

1.1/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Good

0.7/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Good

2.5/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is air quality bad in Queenstown right now?

On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Queenstown is good. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 16.7/100. Pollution peaks around 2:00 PM (O3: 16.7/100).

Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Queenstown?

On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Queenstown will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at good at 16.4/100. Pollution peaks around 2:00 PM (O3: 16.4/100).

When is air pollution at its worst in Queenstown?

In practical terms, Queenstown sees its worst air during the June-to-August winter stretch, when calm evenings let wood-smoke build up close to the ground. For the rest of the year, the westerly Roaring Forties keep the air unusually clean. Keeping half an eye on forecasts during that stretch is the practical takeaway otherwise.

Are air quality levels in Queenstown 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