Worst air pollution Jacobs - Durban, today and tomorrow
Today (20 September): Air quality in Jacobs is moderate. AQI and PM1 are moderate; PM2.5, PM10, and HCHO are fair; NO2, O3, SO2, and CO are good. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (PM1: 41.6/100).
Tomorrow (21 September 2026): Air quality in Jacobs is moderate. O3 increases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 7:00 AM (PM1: 55.2/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
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At Jacobs, the sea breeze typically provides reliable ventilation despite vehicle traffic and port and industrial operations contributing steady local emissions. The area's warm, humid subtropical climate rarely allows pollution to concentrate for long before the onshore wind clears it. Similar patterns show up in most nearby coastal KwaZulu-Natal towns.
Today - 20 September | Pollution peaks at 23:00
AQI:
Moderate
41.6/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
20.9/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Fair
22.2/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
8.2/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
12.6/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
14.7/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
1.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Fair
22.4/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Moderate
41.6/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 21 September | Pollution peaks at 07:00
AQI:
Moderate
55.2/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
36.9/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Fair
38.0/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
16.4/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
30.4/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
18.9/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
2.3/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Fair
32.4/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Moderate
55.2/100
Other Landmarks in Durban
Sports venues in Durban
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Jacobs right now?
On 20 September 2026, overall air quality in Jacobs is moderate. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 41.6/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (PM1: 41.6/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Jacobs?
On 21 September 2026, air quality conditions in Jacobs will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at moderate at 55.2/100. Pollution peaks around 7:00 AM (PM1: 55.2/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Jacobs?
Jacobs sees fairly stable air quality year-round, with the main dip coming on windless, humid summer days when emissions from port and industrial operations linger close to the ground. Winter's steadier onshore breeze generally keeps conditions clearer through the cooler months, a seasonal pattern typical of the broader KwaZulu-Natal coast.
Are air quality levels in Jacobs 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: 20 September 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.
Some text on this page may be generated or summarised using artificial intelligence (AI). Wherever possible, AI-generated content is enriched with Airmine's proprietary data to improve its accuracy and relevance. However, AI-generated content may still contain errors, omissions, or inaccuracies.
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