Worst air pollution Xining, today and tomorrow
Today (16 July): Air quality in Xining is fair. NO2 is fair; AQI and O3 are medium; PM2.5, PM10, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 4:00 PM (O3: 44.6/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Xining is fair. PM2.5 increases to fair; NO2 decreases to medium; PM1 increases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 4:00 AM (NO2: 48.4/100). 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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Xining's air quality reflects the Qinghai Huang River valley's enclosed basin position at 2,275 metres, with vehicle traffic on surrounding expressways and the salt and potash chemical, livestock, and agricultural corridor contributing local sources. The surrounding Laji and Datong mountains create significant topographic enclosure, while winter coal heating under valley inversions generates elevated PM2.5 and the elevated Qinghai plateau position provides better summer conditions than China's lower-altitude enclosed basins throughout the year.
Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 16:00
AQI:
Medium
44.6/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
13.7/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
4.3/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
34.8/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
44.6/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
6.9/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
4.3/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
18.3/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 04:00
AQI:
Medium
48.4/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
27.2/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
8.0/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Medium
48.4/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
47.1/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
10.0/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
6.2/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
32.9/100
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Xining right now?
On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Xining is fair. NO2 is the main pollutant at 34.8/100. Pollution peaks around 4:00 PM (O3: 44.6/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Xining?
On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Xining will be similar to today, with PM1 forecast at fair at 32.9/100. Pollution peaks around 4:00 AM (NO2: 48.4/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Xining?
In Xining, road traffic, petrochemical and refining operations, and crop farming are the main local sources, with conditions worsening when the surrounding valley traps air close to the ground. The bowl-like terrain here limits how quickly pollutants can escape. Fuel burned for winter heating adds an extra layer of particulates on top of other sources.
Are air quality levels in Xining 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