Worst air pollution Medan, today and tomorrow

Today (10 August): Air quality in Medan is very poor. AQI and NO2 are very poor; O3 and PM1 are poor; PM10 and HCHO are fair; PM2.5 and SO2 are medium; CO is good. Pollution peaks around 12:00 AM (NO2: 91.3/100).
Tomorrow (11 August 2026): Air quality in Medan is very poor. PM1 decreases to medium; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 12:00 AM (NO2: 90.9/100). 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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Medan's air quality reflects the flat North Sumatra coastal plain at Deli River delta position on the Malacca Strait, with vehicle traffic on surrounding roads and the palm oil, manufacturing, and vehicle density corridor generating elevated PM2.5. The Malacca Strait provides limited maritime ventilation, while transboundary haze from Sumatran peatland fires represents the most severe periodic air quality concern and Medan generally maintains moderate to elevated Indonesian Sumatra coastal capital readings throughout most of the year.

Today - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 00:00

AQI:

Very poor

91.3/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Medium

53.5/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Fair

26.8/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Very poor

91.3/100

O3 (ozone):

Poor

77.3/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Medium

52.4/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.1/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Fair

22.5/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Poor

60.8/100

Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day

Tomorrow - 11 August | Pollution peaks at 00:00

AQI:

Very poor

90.9/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Medium

51.4/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Fair

24.7/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Very poor

90.9/100

O3 (ozone):

Poor

73.4/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Medium

47.3/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.1/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Fair

22.1/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Medium

58.1/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is air quality bad in Medan right now?

On 10 August 2026, overall air quality in Medan is very poor. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 91.3/100. Pollution peaks around 12:00 AM (NO2: 91.3/100).

Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Medan?

On 11 August 2026, air quality conditions in Medan will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at very poor at 90.9/100. Pollution peaks around 12:00 AM (NO2: 90.9/100).

When is air pollution at its worst in Medan?

Pollution in Medan typically rises when vehicle traffic together with light manufacturing combine, especially once onshore breezes fall calm. Maritime airflow normally ventilates the area well, though calmer spells let levels rise. This coastal advantage is less pronounced during still, high-pressure weather.

Are air quality levels in Medan 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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