Worst air pollution Durban, today and tomorrow
Today (9 August): Air quality in Durban is fair. AQI, O3, HCHO, and PM1 are fair; PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, and CO are good. Pollution peaks around 3:00 PM (O3: 24.6/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Durban is good. AQI improves to good; O3 decreases to good; HCHO decreases to good; PM1 decreases to good; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (O3: 17.7/100). 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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Durban's air quality is shaped by the Indian Ocean subtropical high pressure driving consistent sea breezes off the warm Agulhas Current, providing generally good natural ventilation along the beachfront. The South Durban industrial basin with its oil refineries and chemical plants generates elevated SO₂ and PM2.5 inland, creating a significant air quality divide between the coastal suburbs and the industrial south.
Today - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 15:00
AQI:
Fair
24.6/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
17.4/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
5.0/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
0/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
24.6/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
0/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Fair
22.0/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
21.9/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 23:00
AQI:
Good
17.7/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
5.9/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
2.7/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
0/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
17.7/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
0/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
1.3/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
1.8/100
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Durban right now?
On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Durban is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 24.6/100. Pollution peaks around 3:00 PM (O3: 24.6/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Durban?
On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Durban will be better than today, with AQI forecast at good at 17.7/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (O3: 17.7/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Durban?
At Durban, the sea breeze keeps air quality fairly steady across the seasons, with only brief dips during hot, humid, windless spells in summer when local pollution can linger close to the ground. Cooler winter months generally bring the most consistent onshore ventilation and the clearest air quality of the year for residents nearby.
Are air quality levels in Durban 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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