Worst air pollution Christchurch, today and tomorrow
Today (16 July): Air quality in Christchurch is good. AQI, PM2.5, PM10, NO2, O3, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 12:00 AM (NO2: 19.2/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Christchurch is fair. AQI worsens to fair; NO2 increases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 8:00 PM (NO2: 21.6/100). 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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Christchurch's air quality reflects the flat Canterbury Plains position on the eastern South Island coast, with consistent Canterbury Nor'wester and Canterbury Plains westerly winds providing reliable ventilation. Vehicle traffic on surrounding roads and the services, construction, and export manufacturing corridor contribute local sources, while the flat plains and the Southern Alps' Föhn wind effects create distinctive local wind patterns and the wood-burning stoves during Canterbury winters generate the primary seasonal PM2.5 concern throughout the year.
Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 00:00
AQI:
Good
19.2/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
7.7/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
2.7/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
19.2/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
14.1/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
6.7/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
1.3/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
8.7/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 20:00
AQI:
Fair
21.6/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
10.5/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
3.5/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
21.6/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
11.7/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
8.5/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
1.6/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
10.7/100
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Christchurch right now?
On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Christchurch is good. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 19.2/100. Pollution peaks around 12:00 AM (NO2: 19.2/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Christchurch?
On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Christchurch will be worse than today, with AQI forecast at fair at 21.6/100. Pollution peaks around 8:00 PM (NO2: 21.6/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Christchurch?
Christchurch usually sees its poorest air quality when road traffic, light manufacturing, together with construction dust coincide with periods when winds are light and dispersion is poor. Local weather patterns add further variation on top of these sources. Conditions can otherwise vary considerably with the weather.
Are air quality levels in Christchurch 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.
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Data provided by Airmine — Last update: 16 July 2026 at 10:33 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.
For long term forecasts and maps, see the Airmine app