Worst air pollution Chengdu, today and tomorrow
Today (10 August): Air quality in Chengdu is very poor. AQI, NO2, and O3 are very poor; PM10 is fair; PM2.5 and PM1 are medium; SO2, CO, and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 11:00 AM (O3: 100/100).
Tomorrow (11 August 2026): Air quality in Chengdu is very poor. PM1 increases to poor; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 11:00 AM (O3: 100/100). 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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Chengdu's air quality reflects the Sichuan Basin's near-complete topographic enclosure between the Qinling and Longmen Shan mountain ranges, creating one of China's most severe air quality traps. Vehicle traffic on the Third Ring Road and the surrounding manufacturing, chemical, and residential heating corridor contribute local sources, while the basin's extraordinary stillness under frequent winter anticyclones concentrates PM2.5 to among China's highest sustained levels and the surrounding mountain walls prevent effective dispersal throughout most of the winter months.
Today - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 11:00
AQI:
Very poor
100/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Medium
48.5/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Fair
21.5/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Very poor
82.1/100
O3 (ozone):
Very poor
100/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
15.8/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
18.8/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Medium
54.8/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 11 August | Pollution peaks at 11:00
AQI:
Very poor
100/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Medium
53.0/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Fair
25.7/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Very poor
91.9/100
O3 (ozone):
Very poor
100/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
15.2/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
18.3/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Poor
61.0/100
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Chengdu right now?
On 10 August 2026, overall air quality in Chengdu is very poor. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 100/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 AM (O3: 100/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Chengdu?
On 11 August 2026, air quality conditions in Chengdu will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at very poor at 100/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 AM (O3: 100/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Chengdu?
Pollution in Chengdu typically rises when traffic emissions, heavy industrial and chemical processing, as well as manufacturing activity combine, especially once the colder winter months arrive. Fuel burned for winter heating adds an extra layer of particulates on top of other sources. Levels generally improve once the weather warms and heating demand drops.
Are air quality levels in Chengdu 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: 9 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.
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