Worst air pollution San Salvador, today and tomorrow
Today (16 July): Air quality in San Salvador is fair. AQI and O3 are fair; PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 11:00 AM (O3: 22.0/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in San Salvador is fair. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 7:00 AM (O3: 24.9/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
For long term forecasts and maps, see the Airmine app
Developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team
Use our Strava plugin to check your own exposure.
San Salvador's air quality reflects the Boquerón volcanic basin at 658 metres enclosed by the Chichontepec and Bálsamo mountains, with vehicle traffic on surrounding roads and the vehicle density, industrial, and construction corridor generating elevated PM2.5. The enclosed volcanic valley creates concentration under inversions, while the elevated altitude worsens ozone formation and San Salvador generally maintains moderate to elevated Central American volcanic highland capital readings throughout most of the year.
Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 11:00
AQI:
Fair
22.0/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
5.0/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
6.4/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
2.8/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
22.0/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
0.5/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
7.8/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
4.6/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 07:00
AQI:
Fair
24.9/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
5.8/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
7.0/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
2.9/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
24.9/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
0.5/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
11.5/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
4.2/100
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in San Salvador right now?
On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in San Salvador is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 22.0/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 AM (O3: 22.0/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in San Salvador?
On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in San Salvador will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 24.9/100. Pollution peaks around 7:00 AM (O3: 24.9/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in San Salvador?
San Salvador usually sees its poorest air quality when traffic emissions and construction dust coincide with periods when calm, stagnant conditions settle in the surrounding valley. The surrounding valley terrain holds pollutants near the surface rather than letting them disperse. Strong seasonal winds can lift dust from the surrounding dry terrain and push particulate levels sharply higher.
Are air quality levels in San Salvador 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.
Check air quality in other popular cities:
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