Worst air pollution Kunming, today and tomorrow

Today (10 August): Air quality in Kunming is poor. AQI and NO2 are poor; PM2.5 and PM1 are fair; O3 and SO2 are medium; PM10, CO, and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (NO2: 76.0/100).
Tomorrow (11 August 2026): Air quality in Kunming is very poor. AQI worsens to very poor; PM2.5 decreases to medium; NO2 increases to very poor; O3 increases to poor; SO2 increases to poor; PM1 decreases to medium; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (NO2: 98.1/100). 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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Kunming's air quality benefits from its exceptional Yunnan Plateau elevated position at 1,891 metres with the moderate spring city climate, with consistent plateau winds providing reliable ventilation across this famous City of Eternal Spring. Vehicle traffic on surrounding expressways and manufacturing and construction contribute local sources, while the elevated plateau position aids dispersal and Kunming generally maintains among China's more moderately ventilated provincial capital city environments throughout most of the year.

Today - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 23:00

AQI:

Poor

76.0/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Fair

31.2/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

8.8/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Poor

76.0/100

O3 (ozone):

Medium

48.2/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Medium

54.6/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Good

6.7/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Fair

39.4/100

Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day

Tomorrow - 11 August | Pollution peaks at 23:00

AQI:

Very poor

98.1/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Medium

41.9/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

13.8/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Very poor

98.1/100

O3 (ozone):

Poor

61.6/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Poor

75.2/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Good

9.7/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Medium

45.4/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is air quality bad in Kunming right now?

On 10 August 2026, overall air quality in Kunming is poor. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 76.0/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (NO2: 76.0/100).

Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Kunming?

On 11 August 2026, air quality conditions in Kunming will be worse than today, with AQI forecast at very poor at 98.1/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (NO2: 98.1/100).

When is air pollution at its worst in Kunming?

Air quality in Kunming tends to be worse when vehicle traffic, manufacturing activity, as well as construction dust build up and weather conditions turn unfavourable. Background emissions and local weather both shape how conditions change from day to day. Background emissions and local weather both play a role in day-to-day changes.

Are air quality levels in Kunming 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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