Playa del Carmen Air Quality Forecast - Today, Tomorrow
Air Quality Today
Today (14 October): Air quality in Playa del Carmen is very poor. AQI and PM10 are very poor; PM2.5 is poor; PM1 is fair; NO2, O3, SO2, CO, and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 6:00 PM (PM2.5: 100/100).
Air Quality Tomorrow
Tomorrow (15 October 2026): Air quality in Playa del Carmen is poor. AQI improves to poor; PM2.5 decreases to moderate; PM10 decreases to poor; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 12:00 AM (PM2.5: 100/100).
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Air Quality
Today - 14 October
| Pollutant | Level | Value |
|---|---|---|
| AQI | Very poor | 89.4/100 |
| PM2.5 (fine particles) | Poor | 74.3/100 |
| PM10 (coarse particles) | Very poor | 89.3/100 |
| NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) | Good | 0.2/100 |
| O3 (ozone) | Good | 4.1/100 |
| SO2 (sulfur dioxide) | Good | 0.2/100 |
| CO (carbon monoxide) | Good | 0.4/100 |
| HCHO (formaldehyde) | Good | 0.7/100 |
| PM1 (ultrafine particles) | Fair | 25.4/100 |
Tomorrow - 15 October
| Pollutant | Level | Value |
|---|---|---|
| AQI | Poor | 65.8/100 |
| PM2.5 (fine particles) | Moderate | 58.6/100 |
| PM10 (coarse particles) | Poor | 63.3/100 |
| NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) | Good | 0.2/100 |
| O3 (ozone) | Good | 4.7/100 |
| SO2 (sulfur dioxide) | Good | 0.2/100 |
| CO (carbon monoxide) | Good | 0.4/100 |
| HCHO (formaldehyde) | Good | 0.8/100 |
| PM1 (ultrafine particles) | Fair | 22.7/100 |
Local Environmental Conditions
Around the center of Playa del Carmen, dense development means road traffic is the main local source of nitrogen dioxide and fine particles. On the Yucatan Peninsula, pollution from the wider region can build up over large areas when winds are light. Its position by the Caribbean Sea brings breezes that often clear pollutants away. Air arriving from elsewhere in the region adds to what is produced locally.
Air quality is usually worst in the drier months, February to May, when dust and smoke can build into a haze with little rain to wash it out. Heavy rains from October to November clear the air most effectively. With temperatures around 28°C all year, sunny afternoons can raise ozone levels in any month, especially near busy roads.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Air Quality in Quintana Roo
Is air quality bad in Playa del Carmen right now?
On 14 October 2026, overall air quality in Playa del Carmen is very poor. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 89.4/100. Pollution peaks around 6:00 PM (PM2.5: 100/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Playa del Carmen?
On 15 October 2026, air quality conditions in Playa del Carmen will be better than today, with AQI forecast at poor at 65.8/100. Pollution peaks around 12:00 AM (PM2.5: 100/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Playa del Carmen?
Air quality is usually worst in the drier months, February to May, when dust and smoke can build into a haze with little rain to wash it out. Heavy rains from October to November clear the air most effectively. With temperatures around 28°C all year, sunny afternoons can raise ozone levels in any month, especially near busy roads.
Are air quality levels in Playa del Carmen 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.
Understanding the Scale
The 0–100 air quality scores represent risk levels, not direct air pollutant concentrations. Higher scores indicate higher risk.
Air Quality
| Good | 0-20 | Low air quality risk. Air quality is expected to be good, with low levels of pollution. |
| Fair | 20-40 | Generally low air quality risk. Air quality is expected to be acceptable, with some pollution present. |
| Moderate | 40-60 | Moderate air quality risk. Air pollution is elevated and air quality may be less favorable. |
| Poor | 60-80 | High air quality risk. Air pollution is high and air quality is expected to be poor. |
| Very Poor | 80-100 | Very high air quality risk. Air pollution is very high and air quality is expected to be very poor. |