Worst air pollution Kota Kinabalu, today and tomorrow
Today (10 August): Air quality in Kota Kinabalu is fair. PM2.5 and PM1 are fair; AQI and O3 are medium; PM10, NO2, SO2, CO, and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 4:00 PM (O3: 48.4/100).
Tomorrow (11 August 2026): Air quality in Kota Kinabalu is fair. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 4:00 PM (O3: 57.3/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
Get the full experience in the Airmine app.
Developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team
Follow your pollen exposure and performance with the free Airmine–Strava integration. See your pollen and air quality exposure for every Strava activity.
Kota Kinabalu's air quality benefits from its exceptional South China Sea and Sulawesi Sea coastal position in Malaysian Sabah, with consistent South China Sea and southwest monsoon maritime breezes providing reliable tropical ventilation. Vehicle traffic on surrounding roads and the tourism, fishing, and government corridor contribute modest local sources, while transboundary haze from Indonesian Kalimantan peatland fires represents the primary severe seasonal concern and Kota Kinabalu generally maintains moderate to good Malaysian Sabah coastal readings throughout non-haze periods.
Today - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 16:00
AQI:
Medium
48.4/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
21.0/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
5.7/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
2.2/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
48.4/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
0.9/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
14.7/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
27.0/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 11 August | Pollution peaks at 16:00
AQI:
Medium
57.3/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
26.3/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
7.8/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
2.6/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
57.3/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
1.3/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
14.2/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
30.8/100
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Kota Kinabalu right now?
On 10 August 2026, overall air quality in Kota Kinabalu is fair. PM1 is the main pollutant at 27.0/100. Pollution peaks around 4:00 PM (O3: 48.4/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Kota Kinabalu?
On 11 August 2026, air quality conditions in Kota Kinabalu will be similar to today, with PM1 forecast at fair at 30.8/100. Pollution peaks around 4:00 PM (O3: 57.3/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Kota Kinabalu?
Kota Kinabalu usually sees its poorest air quality when traffic emissions, fishing fleet activity, and tourism-related traffic coincide with periods when the drier season sets in. Rainfall through the monsoon usually keeps levels in check. Onshore breezes usually help clear the air, but pollution can build up when winds are light.
Are air quality levels in Kota Kinabalu 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.
Check air quality in other popular cities:
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.
Get the full experience in the Airmine app.