Worst air pollution Sofia, today and tomorrow
Today (16 July): Air quality in Sofia is fair. O3 is fair; AQI and NO2 are medium; PM2.5, PM10, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 1:00 AM (NO2: 46.2/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Sofia is fair. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (NO2: 43.0/100). 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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Sofia's air quality faces some of the most serious challenges in the EU, with the city's enclosed basin position surrounded by the Vitosha, Lyulin, and Balkan mountain ranges trapping vehicle and residential heating emissions under frequent winter inversions. Wood and coal burning in the surrounding suburbs generates some of the highest seasonal PM2.5 concentrations in Europe.
Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 01:00
AQI:
Medium
46.2/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
12.2/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
3.7/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Medium
46.2/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
35.4/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
7.0/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
12.1/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
16.8/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 23:00
AQI:
Medium
43.0/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
11.4/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
3.9/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Medium
43.0/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
37.2/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
5.7/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
9.8/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
14.8/100
Pollen forecast in Sofia
View pollen forecastAir quality forecasts for neighbourhoods and landmarks in Sofia
Sports venues in Sofia
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Sofia right now?
On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Sofia is fair. O3 is the main pollutant at 35.4/100. Pollution peaks around 1:00 AM (NO2: 46.2/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Sofia?
On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Sofia will be similar to today, with O3 forecast at fair at 37.2/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (NO2: 43.0/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Sofia?
Air quality dips in Sofia mostly track local tree and grass pollen peaks and periods of wood and coal burning in the neighbouring suburbs generates some of the highest seasonal; conditions generally improve once the season shifts and rainfall or stronger winds return.
Are air quality levels in Sofia 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.
Want to see air quality forecasts for other cities in Bulgaria?
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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