Worst air pollution Karbalā’, today and tomorrow
Today (9 August): Air quality in Karbalā’ is poor. AQI and O3 are poor; NO2 and PM1 are fair; PM2.5, PM10, and SO2 are medium; CO and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 12:00 PM (O3: 66.5/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Karbalā’ is poor. NO2 decreases to medium; SO2 increases to poor; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 1:00 PM (O3: 79.2/100). 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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Karbalā'ʼs air quality reflects the flat Iraqi Euphrates River holy city position at 29 metres, with vehicle density and the extraordinary Shia pilgrimage traffic, construction, and conflict-legacy corridor generating elevated PM2.5. Shamal Desert dust generates elevated PM10, while the extraordinary pilgrimage vehicle concentration during Arbaeen — the world's largest annual gathering — represents the most distinctive periodic air quality event throughout the year.
Today - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 12:00
AQI:
Poor
66.5/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Medium
42.2/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Medium
43.2/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
38.6/100
O3 (ozone):
Poor
66.5/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Medium
54.8/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
7.3/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
24.1/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 13:00
AQI:
Poor
79.2/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Medium
46.6/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Medium
46.7/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Medium
41.6/100
O3 (ozone):
Poor
79.2/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Poor
68.1/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
9.3/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
37.4/100
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Karbalā’ right now?
On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Karbalā’ is poor. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 66.5/100. Pollution peaks around 12:00 PM (O3: 66.5/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Karbalā’?
On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Karbalā’ will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at poor at 79.2/100. Pollution peaks around 1:00 PM (O3: 79.2/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Karbalā’?
Pollution in Karbalā’ typically rises when vehicle traffic as well as ongoing construction work combine, especially once windblown dust events occur. These wind events can carry dust in from the surrounding arid landscape. Such events are most common in the drier shoulder seasons.
Are air quality levels in Karbalā’ 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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