Worst air pollution Salem, today and tomorrow
Today (16 July): Air quality in Salem is fair. PM2.5 and PM1 are fair; AQI, NO2, O3, and SO2 are medium; PM10, CO, and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 5:30 AM (NO2: 57.2/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Salem is fair. O3 increases to fair; SO2 increases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 11:30 PM (NO2: 48.8/100). 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
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Salem's air quality reflects the flat Tamil Nadu Salem River valley at 278 metres at the Eastern Ghats base, with vehicle density, steel manufacturing, and textile corridor generating elevated industrial PM2.5. The dry northeast monsoon concentrates steel industrial and vehicle emissions, while the surrounding Eastern Ghats create topographic variation and Salem generally maintains moderate to elevated South Indian steel industrial city readings throughout most of the year.
Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 05:30
AQI:
Medium
57.2/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
31.2/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
11.2/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Medium
57.2/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
43.6/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Medium
40.1/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
14.7/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
32.0/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 23:30
AQI:
Medium
48.8/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
23.7/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
8.9/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Medium
48.8/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
32.7/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Fair
34.6/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
11.2/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
25.4/100
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Salem right now?
On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Salem is fair. PM1 is the main pollutant at 32.0/100. Pollution peaks around 5:30 AM (NO2: 57.2/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Salem?
On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Salem will be similar to today, with SO2 forecast at fair at 34.6/100. Pollution peaks around 11:30 PM (NO2: 48.8/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Salem?
The biggest local contributors to pollution in Salem are road traffic, heavy industrial and chemical processing, and manufacturing activity, particularly once windblown dust events occur. Dust carried on these winds adds substantially to particulate levels. Rainfall through the monsoon usually keeps levels in check.
Are air quality levels in Salem 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