Worst air pollution Bloemfontein, today and tomorrow
Today (9 August): Air quality in Bloemfontein is fair. PM2.5, O3, and PM1 are fair; AQI and SO2 are medium; PM10, NO2, CO, and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 10:00 AM (SO2: 42.6/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Bloemfontein is good. AQI improves to good; PM2.5 decreases to good; O3 decreases to good; SO2 decreases to good; PM1 decreases to good; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 2:00 PM (O3: 16.1/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
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Bloemfontein's air quality reflects its position on the high Free State plateau at 1,395 metres, with vehicle traffic on the N1 and N8 highways and the surrounding light industrial and manufacturing activity contributing the primary local sources. The elevated semi-arid Highveld position aids background dispersal on most days, while winter temperature inversions can concentrate residential heating and vehicle emissions under cold clear night conditions across this flat interior South African plateau city.
Today - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 10:00
AQI:
Medium
42.6/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
25.2/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
6.9/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
19.1/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
37.9/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Medium
42.6/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
5.8/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
31.6/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 14:00
AQI:
Good
16.1/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
6.0/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
1.7/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
11.9/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
16.1/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
11.4/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
2.8/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
8.3/100
Pollen forecast in Bloemfontein
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Bloemfontein right now?
On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Bloemfontein is fair. O3 is the main pollutant at 37.9/100. Pollution peaks around 10:00 AM (SO2: 42.6/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Bloemfontein?
On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Bloemfontein will be better than today, with AQI forecast at good at 16.1/100. Pollution peaks around 2:00 PM (O3: 16.1/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Bloemfontein?
At Bloemfontein, the poorest air quality usually occurs on still winter mornings from May to August, when smoke and vehicle emissions accumulate under a low temperature inversion typical of the Highveld plateau. From November onward, summer rains and afternoon winds generally restore clearer conditions that last through much of the warmer part of the year.
Are air quality levels in Bloemfontein 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.
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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.
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