Worst air pollution Nanaimo, today and tomorrow
Today (15 August): Air quality in Nanaimo is poor. AQI and NO2 are poor; PM2.5, O3, and PM1 are fair; PM10, SO2, CO, and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 6:00 PM (NO2: 60.4/100).
Tomorrow (16 August 2026): Air quality in Nanaimo is poor. PM2.5 decreases to good; PM1 decreases to good; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 10:00 PM (NO2: 61.1/100). 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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Nanaimo's air quality benefits from Georgia Strait sea breezes moving through this ferry-terminal city, with harbour traffic and Highway 19 the primary local sources amid otherwise favourable coastal ventilation.
Today - 15 August | Pollution peaks at 18:00
AQI:
Poor
60.4/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
26.2/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
8.6/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Poor
60.4/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
32.8/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
18.5/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
4.5/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
26.3/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 16 August | Pollution peaks at 22:00
AQI:
Poor
61.1/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
18.5/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
6.1/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Poor
61.1/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
33.0/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
16.0/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
3.5/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
19.2/100
Pollen forecast in Nanaimo
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Nanaimo right now?
On 15 August 2026, overall air quality in Nanaimo is poor. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 60.4/100. Pollution peaks around 6:00 PM (NO2: 60.4/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Nanaimo?
On 16 August 2026, air quality conditions in Nanaimo will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at poor at 61.1/100. Pollution peaks around 10:00 PM (NO2: 61.1/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Nanaimo?
Air quality in Nanaimo shifts noticeably across the seasons, shaped by its harbourside setting on the east coast of Vancouver Island. Mild, wet winters keep the air generally clean, while dry summer spells occasionally allow haze and, in bad years, wildfire smoke to build up. Frequent Pacific storms during the cooler months usually clear the air completely within a day.
Are air quality levels in Nanaimo 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.
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Data provided by Airmine — Last update: 15 August 2026 at 14:26 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.
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