Worst air pollution Nelson, today and tomorrow
Today (15 July): Air quality in Nelson is poor. AQI and NO2 are poor; PM2.5 and O3 are fair; PM10, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 10:00 PM (NO2: 68.1/100).
Tomorrow (16 July 2026): Air quality in Nelson is poor. SO2 increases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 10:00 PM (NO2: 61.8/100). 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
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Nelson's air quality reflects its mountain-basin position on Kootenay Lake, where winter wood-heating in this heritage town can trap PM2.5 during temperature inversions.
Today - 15 July | Pollution peaks at 22:00
AQI:
Poor
68.1/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
24.0/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
9.0/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Poor
68.1/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
27.4/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
18.1/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
2.2/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
19.0/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 22:00
AQI:
Poor
61.8/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
22.0/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
8.0/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Poor
61.8/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
28.8/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Fair
22.1/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
3.8/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
18.3/100
Pollen forecast in Nelson
View pollen forecastFrequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Nelson right now?
On 15 July 2026, overall air quality in Nelson is poor. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 68.1/100. Pollution peaks around 10:00 PM (NO2: 68.1/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Nelson?
On 16 July 2026, air quality conditions in Nelson will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at poor at 61.8/100. Pollution peaks around 10:00 PM (NO2: 61.8/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Nelson?
Nelson's air quality follows a seasonal rhythm tied to its lakeside setting on Kootenay Lake in the Selkirk Mountains. For most of the year the air stays clean and lake-fresh, but summer tourist traffic and, in some years, drifting wildfire smoke can briefly worsen conditions. Weekday air quality is often noticeably better than on busy summer weekends when visitor numbers peak.
Are air quality levels in Nelson 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.
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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