Worst air pollution Rideau Canal - Ottawa, today and tomorrow
Today (16 July): Air quality in Rideau Canal is fair. AQI, NO2, and O3 are fair; PM2.5, PM10, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 7:00 AM (O3: 36.7/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Rideau Canal is fair. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (NO2: 33.6/100). 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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Rideau Canal's air quality benefits from its linear green corridor running through central Ottawa, providing a natural buffer and popular car-free pathway away from surrounding street traffic.
Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 07:00
AQI:
Fair
36.7/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
9.4/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
3.6/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
34.2/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
36.7/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
4.8/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
5.0/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
8.8/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 23:00
AQI:
Fair
33.6/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
11.7/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
4.3/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
33.6/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
30.9/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
3.2/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
2.9/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
10.1/100
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Rideau Canal right now?
On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Rideau Canal is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 36.7/100. Pollution peaks around 7:00 AM (O3: 36.7/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Rideau Canal?
On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Rideau Canal will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 33.6/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (NO2: 33.6/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Rideau Canal?
Seasonal air quality in Rideau Canal is closely linked to the waterway and green corridor running through the heart of the city. The warmest months typically see the poorest air quality, with heat and heavy traffic driving up smog levels on windless days, whereas fall and winter tend to bring cleaner, more variable conditions. The surrounding Greenbelt helps buffer some neighbourhoods, though downtown corridors still see the sharpest seasonal shifts.
Are air quality levels in Rideau Canal 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