Worst air pollution Cali, today and tomorrow
Today (9 August): Air quality in Cali is fair. AQI and O3 are fair; PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 3:00 AM (O3: 21.6/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Cali is good. AQI improves to good; O3 decreases to good; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 12:00 AM (O3: 18.4/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
Get the full experience in the Airmine app.
Developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team
Follow your pollen exposure and performance with the free Airmine–Strava integration. See your pollen and air quality exposure for every Strava activity.
Cali's air quality reflects the Cauca Valley's severe topographic enclosure between the Western and Central Andes cordilleras at 995 metres, with vehicle traffic on surrounding roads and the industrial, sugar refinery, and vehicle density corridor generating elevated PM2.5. The enclosed valley's persistent thermal inversions trap emissions, while the surrounding Andean ridgelines create significant topographic concentration and Cali generally maintains moderate to elevated Colombian highland valley metropolitan readings throughout most of the year.
Today - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 03:00
AQI:
Fair
21.6/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
13.6/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
5.6/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
0.1/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
21.6/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
0.7/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
0.8/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
6.1/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 00:00
AQI:
Good
18.4/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
12.2/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
5.3/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
0.1/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
18.4/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
0.7/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
0.8/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
4.1/100
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Cali right now?
On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Cali is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 21.6/100. Pollution peaks around 3:00 AM (O3: 21.6/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Cali?
On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Cali will be better than today, with AQI forecast at good at 18.4/100. Pollution peaks around 12:00 AM (O3: 18.4/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Cali?
In Cali, traffic emissions along with steel, cement, and chemical production are the main local sources, with conditions worsening when the surrounding valley traps air close to the ground. The surrounding valley terrain holds pollutants near the surface rather than letting them disperse. Dust carried on these winds adds substantially to particulate levels.
Are air quality levels in Cali 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.
Check air quality in other popular cities:
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.
Get the full experience in the Airmine app.