Cowries Beach, Shellharbour Air Quality Forecast - Today, Tomorrow
Air Quality Today
Today (7 October): Air quality in Cowries Beach is fair. AQI, PM2.5, and PM10 are fair; NO2, O3, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (PM2.5: 28.9/100).
Air Quality Tomorrow
Tomorrow (8 October 2026): Air quality in Cowries Beach is fair. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 2:00 AM (PM2.5: 39.1/100).
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Air Quality
Today - 7 October
| Pollen species | Level | Value |
|---|---|---|
| AQI | Fair | 28.9/100 |
| PM2.5 (fine particles) | Fair | 28.9/100 |
| PM10 (coarse particles) | Fair | 28.7/100 |
| NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) | Good | 1.8/100 |
| O3 (ozone) | Good | 14.4/100 |
| SO2 (sulfur dioxide) | Good | 1.0/100 |
| CO (carbon monoxide) | Good | 0.3/100 |
| HCHO (formaldehyde) | Good | 1.5/100 |
| PM1 (ultrafine particles) | Good | 2.7/100 |
Tomorrow - 8 October
| Pollen species | Level | Value |
|---|---|---|
| AQI | Fair | 39.1/100 |
| PM2.5 (fine particles) | Fair | 39.1/100 |
| PM10 (coarse particles) | Fair | 35.7/100 |
| NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) | Good | 7.2/100 |
| O3 (ozone) | Good | 13.8/100 |
| SO2 (sulfur dioxide) | Good | 1.8/100 |
| CO (carbon monoxide) | Good | 0.4/100 |
| HCHO (formaldehyde) | Good | 2.8/100 |
| PM1 (ultrafine particles) | Good | 7.5/100 |
Local Environmental Conditions
Around this site in Shellharbour, a mix of built-up land and open space means traffic is an important, but not overwhelming, local pollution source. Open water nearby lets breezes move freely across the area, helping to disperse pollutants. Pollution carried in from the wider region can also raise levels at times.
Cold spells from June to August, at around 10°C on average, are when smoke from home heating and traffic lingers longest. Later in the year, hot afternoons from January to February, averaging 21°C in the warmest month, are when ozone is most likely to build up. Day to day, calm and dry conditions let pollution build, while wind and rain clear it away.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Air Quality in New South Wales
Is air quality bad in Cowries Beach right now?
On 7 October 2026, overall air quality in Cowries Beach is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 28.9/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (PM2.5: 28.9/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Cowries Beach?
On 8 October 2026, air quality conditions in Cowries Beach will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 39.1/100. Pollution peaks around 2:00 AM (PM2.5: 39.1/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Cowries Beach?
Cold spells from June to August, at around 10°C on average, are when smoke from home heating and traffic lingers longest. Later in the year, hot afternoons from January to February, averaging 21°C in the warmest month, are when ozone is most likely to build up. Day to day, calm and dry conditions let pollution build, while wind and rain clear it away.
Are air quality levels in Cowries Beach 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.
Understanding the Scale
The 0–100 air quality scores represent risk levels, not direct air pollutant concentrations. Higher scores indicate higher risk.
Air Quality
| Good | 0-20 | Low air quality risk. Air quality is expected to be good, with low levels of pollution. |
| Fair | 20-40 | Generally low air quality risk. Air quality is expected to be acceptable, with some pollution present. |
| Moderate | 40-60 | Moderate air quality risk. Air pollution is elevated and air quality may be less favorable. |
| Poor | 60-80 | High air quality risk. Air pollution is high and air quality is expected to be poor. |
| Very Poor | 80-100 | Very high air quality risk. Air pollution is very high and air quality is expected to be very poor. |