Worst air pollution Christchurch, today and tomorrow
Today (10 August): Air quality in Christchurch is good. AQI, PM2.5, PM10, NO2, O3, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 2:00 PM (O3: 15.6/100).
Tomorrow (11 August 2026): Air quality in Christchurch is good. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 2:00 PM (O3: 15.8/100). 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.
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 - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 14:00
AQI:
Good
15.6/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
3.6/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
1.3/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
11.4/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
15.6/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
2.2/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
1.2/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
4.5/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 11 August | Pollution peaks at 14:00
AQI:
Good
15.8/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
7.7/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
2.9/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
15.4/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
15.8/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
2.5/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
0.8/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
8.5/100
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Christchurch right now?
On 10 August 2026, overall air quality in Christchurch is good. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 15.6/100. Pollution peaks around 2:00 PM (O3: 15.6/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Christchurch?
On 11 August 2026, air quality conditions in Christchurch will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at good at 15.8/100. Pollution peaks around 2:00 PM (O3: 15.8/100).
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.
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.