Worst air pollution Seoul, today and tomorrow
Today (10 August): Air quality in Seoul is fair. NO2 is fair; AQI and O3 are medium; PM2.5, PM10, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 3:00 PM (O3: 55.5/100).
Tomorrow (11 August 2026): Air quality in Seoul is poor. AQI worsens to poor; O3 increases to poor; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 5:00 PM (O3: 68.3/100). 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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Seoul's air quality reflects the Han River basin's partial topographic enclosure between the Bukhan and Gwanak mountain ranges, with vehicle traffic on the Olympic Expressway and extraordinary metropolitan vehicle and industrial density generating sustained NO₂ and PM2.5. Seasonal Chinese and Mongolian dust transport significantly elevates PM10 during spring yellow dust events, while winter coal and industrial emissions from the broader Northeast Asian regional airshed maintain Seoul among Asia's more challenging major metropolitan air quality environments throughout the year.
Today - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 15:00
AQI:
Medium
55.5/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
9.5/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
3.3/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
25.8/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
55.5/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
12.0/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
12.8/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
8.6/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 11 August | Pollution peaks at 17:00
AQI:
Poor
68.3/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
10.4/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
3.5/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
29.1/100
O3 (ozone):
Poor
68.3/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
13.9/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
14.6/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
10.4/100
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Seoul right now?
On 10 August 2026, overall air quality in Seoul is fair. NO2 is the main pollutant at 25.8/100. Pollution peaks around 3:00 PM (O3: 55.5/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Seoul?
On 11 August 2026, air quality conditions in Seoul will be worse than today, with AQI forecast at poor at 68.3/100. Pollution peaks around 5:00 PM (O3: 68.3/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Seoul?
In Seoul, traffic on the surrounding roads and shipbuilding and port operations are the main local sources, with conditions worsening when dry, windy weather picks up. Strong seasonal winds can lift dust from the surrounding dry terrain and push particulate levels sharply higher. Fuel burned for winter heating adds an extra layer of particulates on top of other sources.
Are air quality levels in Seoul 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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