Worst air pollution Palmerston North, today and tomorrow
Today (16 July): Air quality in Palmerston North is good. AQI, PM2.5, PM10, NO2, O3, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 11:00 AM (O3: 15.2/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Palmerston North is good. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 3:00 PM (O3: 14.7/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
For long term forecasts and maps, see the Airmine app
Developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team
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Palmerston North's air quality reflects the flat Manawatu River valley's partial enclosure in the lower North Island at 30 metres, with vehicle traffic on surrounding roads and the agricultural processing, university, and services corridor contributing local sources. Consistent New Zealand westerlies provide reliable ventilation through the Manawatu Gorge corridor, while the Tararua and Ruahine ranges create dramatic topographic variation and Palmerston North generally maintains good to moderate conditions for a major New Zealand agricultural city throughout most of the year.
Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 11:00
AQI:
Good
15.2/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
4.7/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
2.0/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
4.7/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
15.2/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
1.1/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
0.6/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
2.2/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 15:00
AQI:
Good
14.7/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
11.3/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
4.9/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
4.9/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
14.7/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
1.1/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
0.4/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
2.4/100
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Palmerston North right now?
On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Palmerston North is good. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 15.2/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 AM (O3: 15.2/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Palmerston North?
On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Palmerston North will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at good at 14.7/100. Pollution peaks around 3:00 PM (O3: 14.7/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Palmerston North?
In Palmerston North, vehicle traffic and agricultural burning are the main local sources, with conditions worsening when winds are light and dispersion is poor. Background emissions and local weather both shape how conditions change from day to day. Conditions can otherwise vary considerably with the weather.
Are air quality levels in Palmerston North 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