Worst air pollution Sydney, today and tomorrow
Today (4 August): Air quality in Sydney is fair. AQI and NO2 are fair; PM2.5, PM10, O3, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 7:00 PM (NO2: 30.1/100).
Tomorrow (5 August 2026): Air quality in Sydney is fair. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (NO2: 29.9/100). 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
Use our Strava plugin to check your own exposure.
Australia's largest city has air quality shaped strongly by geography: the harbour and eastern suburbs benefit from onshore sea breezes, while western Sydney, ringed by hills that trap heat and pollutants, regularly records the city's worst summer ozone and highest bushfire smoke exposure, notably during the 2019–20 Black Summer. Spring brings a significant grass and tree pollen season across the basin, occasionally triggering thunderstorm asthma events, while winter can see wood-heater smoke and temperature inversions settle over some western suburbs. The harbour and coastal fringes generally record better air quality than the city's more enclosed western and southwestern basin areas.
Today - 4 August | Pollution peaks at 19:00
AQI:
Fair
30.1/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
7.3/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
2.0/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
30.1/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
17.1/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
10.1/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
5.0/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
10.5/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 5 August | Pollution peaks at 23:00
AQI:
Fair
29.9/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
7.1/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
2.0/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
29.9/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
16.1/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
6.7/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
3.4/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
9.9/100
Air quality forecasts for neighbourhoods and landmarks in Sydney
Sports venues in Sydney
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Sydney right now?
On 4 August 2026, overall air quality in Sydney is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 30.1/100. Pollution peaks around 7:00 PM (NO2: 30.1/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Sydney?
On 5 August 2026, air quality conditions in Sydney will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 29.9/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (NO2: 29.9/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Sydney?
Air quality is typically worst in western Sydney on hot, still summer days when photochemical smog builds against the surrounding ranges, and during bushfire season (spring through summer) when smoke can blanket the whole basin; the harbourside east generally fares better thanks to reliable sea breezes.
Are air quality levels in Sydney 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.
Want to see air quality forecasts for other cities in Australia?
Check air quality in other popular cities:
Data provided by Airmine — Last update: 4 August 2026 at 16:38 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.
Disclaimer: Forecasts are provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice. Actual pollen and air quality conditions may vary from the forecast. If you have allergies, asthma, or another medical condition, consult a healthcare professional. Please see our Terms of Service for important information about limitations of liability.
For long term forecasts and maps, see the Airmine app