Worst air pollution Bloemfontein, today and tomorrow

Today (16 July): Air quality in Bloemfontein is fair. PM2.5, O3, HCHO, and PM1 are fair; AQI, NO2, and SO2 are medium; PM10 and CO are good. Pollution peaks around 10:00 PM (SO2: 51.5/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Bloemfontein is fair. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (SO2: 57.9/100). 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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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 - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 22:00

AQI:

Medium

51.5/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Fair

26.5/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

7.3/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Medium

45.7/100

O3 (ozone):

Fair

24.1/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Medium

51.5/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Fair

21.0/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Fair

33.8/100

Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day

Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 23:00

AQI:

Medium

57.9/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Fair

27.2/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

7.5/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Medium

49.8/100

O3 (ozone):

Fair

26.6/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Medium

57.9/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Fair

21.0/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Fair

34.4/100

Pollen forecast in Bloemfontein

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is air quality bad in Bloemfontein right now?

On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Bloemfontein is fair. PM1 is the main pollutant at 33.8/100. Pollution peaks around 10:00 PM (SO2: 51.5/100).

Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Bloemfontein?

On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Bloemfontein will be similar to today, with PM1 forecast at fair at 34.4/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (SO2: 57.9/100).

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.

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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