Worst air pollution Medellín, today and tomorrow
Today (16 July): Air quality in Medellín is good. AQI, PM2.5, PM10, NO2, O3, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 8:00 AM (O3: 17.6/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Medellín is good. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 9:00 AM (O3: 19.8/100). 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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Medellín's air quality reflects the Aburrá Valley's severe topographic enclosure between the western and central Andes cordilleras at 1,495 metres, with vehicle traffic on the surrounding expressways and the extraordinary valley population density, manufacturing, and construction generating elevated PM2.5. The enclosed valley's persistent thermal inversions trap emissions extensively, while the surrounding Andean ridgelines create near-complete topographic enclosure and Medellín maintains among South America's more topographically challenged major metropolitan air quality environments throughout most of the year.
Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 08:00
AQI:
Good
17.6/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
8.6/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
3.1/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
6.2/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
17.6/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
3.6/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
10.4/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
7.4/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 09:00
AQI:
Good
19.8/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
8.9/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
3.0/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
8.5/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
19.8/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
4.5/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
14.6/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
8.7/100
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Medellín right now?
On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Medellín is good. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 17.6/100. Pollution peaks around 8:00 AM (O3: 17.6/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Medellín?
On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Medellín will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at good at 19.8/100. Pollution peaks around 9:00 AM (O3: 19.8/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Medellín?
The biggest local contributors to pollution in Medellín are traffic emissions, textile and manufacturing operations, together with construction dust, particularly once calm, stagnant conditions settle in the surrounding valley. The bowl-like terrain here limits how quickly pollutants can escape. The effect is strongest during the colder months, when inversions set in most often.
Are air quality levels in Medellín 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