Worst air pollution Stara Zagora, today and tomorrow

Today (16 July): Air quality in Stara Zagora is fair. AQI, NO2, O3, and HCHO are fair; PM2.5, PM10, SO2, CO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 1:00 PM (O3: 37.4/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Stara Zagora is fair. HCHO decreases to good; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 12:00 PM (O3: 37.9/100). 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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Stara Zagora's air quality faces significant challenges from the Maritsa Iztok complex of coal-fired power stations, one of Europe's largest lignite energy clusters immediately to the east of the city, generating elevated SO₂ and PM2.5 that dominate the regional air quality environment. The flat Thracian plain generally provides reasonable wind dispersal on most days, while the Sredna Gora mountains to the north and the Rhodope foothills to the south create partial topographic enclosure that can concentrate power station and urban emissions under calm conditions.

Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 13:00

AQI:

Fair

37.4/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Good

8.2/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

2.8/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Fair

36.6/100

O3 (ozone):

Fair

37.4/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Good

12.7/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Fair

20.0/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Good

10.8/100

Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day

Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 12:00

AQI:

Fair

37.9/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Good

9.2/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

2.6/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Fair

37.6/100

O3 (ozone):

Fair

37.9/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Good

6.4/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Good

17.3/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Good

12.2/100

Pollen forecast in Stara Zagora

View pollen forecast

Frequently Asked Questions

Is air quality bad in Stara Zagora right now?

On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Stara Zagora is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 37.4/100. Pollution peaks around 1:00 PM (O3: 37.4/100).

Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Stara Zagora?

On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Stara Zagora will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 37.9/100. Pollution peaks around 12:00 PM (O3: 37.9/100).

When is air pollution at its worst in Stara Zagora?

You're most likely to spot worse air in Stara Zagora when local tree and grass pollen peaks, or due to the Maritsa Iztok complex of coal-fired power stations; things typically settle down again once the weather pattern shifts.

Are air quality levels in Stara Zagora 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