Worst air pollution Quito, today and tomorrow
Today (9 August): Air quality in Quito is good. AQI, PM2.5, PM10, NO2, O3, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 12:00 AM (O3: 19.9/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Quito is good. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 3:00 AM (O3: 18.8/100). 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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Quito's air quality reflects the severe topographic enclosure at 2,850 metres in the Inter-Andean Valley between the Pichincha and Atacazo volcanoes, with vehicle traffic on surrounding expressways and the extraordinary altitude amplifying ozone formation alongside industrial and construction corridor operations. The volcanic mountain enclosure creates frequent thermal inversions, while Pichincha's fumarolic SO₂ adds a distinctive volcanic background and Quito maintains among South America's more topographically challenging Andean capital environments throughout most of the year.
Today - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 00:00
AQI:
Good
19.9/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
6.4/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
2.9/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
0.0/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
19.9/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
0.1/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
0.7/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
2.0/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 03:00
AQI:
Good
18.8/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
10.0/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
3.9/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
0.0/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
18.8/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
0.1/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
0.7/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
6.2/100
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Quito right now?
On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Quito is good. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 19.9/100. Pollution peaks around 12:00 AM (O3: 19.9/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Quito?
On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Quito will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at good at 18.8/100. Pollution peaks around 3:00 AM (O3: 18.8/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Quito?
Pollution in Quito typically rises when vehicle traffic along with construction dust combine, especially once the surrounding valley traps air close to the ground. The bowl-like terrain here limits how quickly pollutants can escape. These wind events can carry dust in from the surrounding arid landscape.
Are air quality levels in Quito 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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