Worst air pollution Chennai, today and tomorrow
Today (9 August): Air quality in Chennai is medium. AQI and O3 are medium; PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 1:30 PM (O3: 45.0/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Chennai is medium. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 1:30 PM (O3: 56.4/100). 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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Chennai's air quality reflects the flat Coromandel Coast's Tamil Nadu coastal plain position, with vehicle traffic on the Inner Ring Road and the surrounding automotive manufacturing and port operations contributing local sources. Consistent Bay of Bengal sea breezes provide maritime ventilation, while the northeast monsoon's seasonal variation creates distinct wet and dry season cycles and Chennai's flat coastal position generally maintains moderate to elevated South Indian metropolitan readings throughout the year.
Today - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 13:30
AQI:
Medium
45.0/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
14.6/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
6.3/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
15.6/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
45.0/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
9.9/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
10.2/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
15.5/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 13:30
AQI:
Medium
56.4/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
15.3/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
5.2/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
16.7/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
56.4/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
11.6/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
12.3/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
16.2/100
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Chennai right now?
On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Chennai is medium. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 45.0/100. Pollution peaks around 1:30 PM (O3: 45.0/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Chennai?
On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Chennai will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at medium at 56.4/100. Pollution peaks around 1:30 PM (O3: 56.4/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Chennai?
The biggest local contributors to pollution in Chennai are vehicle traffic, textile and manufacturing operations, together with fishing fleet activity, particularly once the monsoon rains ease off. Rains during the wetter months typically wash pollutants out of the air. Sea breezes typically keep conditions in check, except during still weather.
Are air quality levels in Chennai 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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