Worst air pollution Stara Zagora, today and tomorrow
Today (18 August): Air quality in Stara Zagora is fair. AQI, NO2, and O3 are fair; PM2.5, PM10, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 6:00 PM (O3: 38.4/100).
Tomorrow (19 August 2026): Air quality in Stara Zagora is fair. AQI improves to medium; O3 decreases to medium; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 3:00 PM (O3: 43.4/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
Get the full experience in the Airmine app.
Developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team
Follow your pollen exposure and performance with the free Airmine–Strava integration. See your pollen and air quality exposure for every Strava activity.
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 - 18 August | Pollution peaks at 18:00
AQI:
Fair
38.4/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
11.3/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
3.2/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
25.7/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
38.4/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
9.2/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
10.7/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
14.9/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 19 August | Pollution peaks at 15:00
AQI:
Medium
43.4/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
9.7/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
2.7/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
26.7/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
43.4/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
4.0/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
11.5/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
12.9/100
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Stara Zagora right now?
On 18 August 2026, overall air quality in Stara Zagora is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 38.4/100. Pollution peaks around 6:00 PM (O3: 38.4/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Stara Zagora?
On 19 August 2026, air quality conditions in Stara Zagora will be similar to today, with NO2 forecast at fair at 26.7/100. Pollution peaks around 3:00 PM (O3: 43.4/100).
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.
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 Bulgaria?
Check air quality in other popular cities:
Data provided by Airmine — Last update: 18 August 2026 at 20:27 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.
Get the full experience in the Airmine app.