Worst air pollution Harrismith, today and tomorrow
Today (9 August): Air quality in Harrismith is fair. NO2 is fair; AQI, PM2.5, O3, SO2, and PM1 are medium; PM10, CO, and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 12:00 PM (O3: 51.9/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Harrismith is fair. AQI worsens to fair; PM2.5 increases to fair; O3 decreases to good; SO2 increases to fair; PM1 increases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 1:00 AM (PM1: 38.9/100). 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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Harrismith's air quality reflects the Free State Highveld position at 1,631 metres near the Drakensberg Amphitheatre, with vehicle traffic on the N3 and surrounding agricultural and logistics operations contributing local sources. The elevated highland position aids background dispersal on most days, while winter Highveld temperature inversions can concentrate vehicle and biomass burning emissions and the Drakensberg's dramatic escarpment creates significant topographic variation that influences the broader regional air quality environment throughout the year.
Today - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 12:00
AQI:
Medium
51.9/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Medium
41.2/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
12.8/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
32.3/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
51.9/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Medium
40.6/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
9.8/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Medium
44.3/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 01:00
AQI:
Fair
38.9/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
31.3/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
8.7/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
32.7/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
15.4/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Fair
26.1/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
7.4/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
38.9/100
Pollen forecast in Harrismith
View pollen forecastAir quality forecasts for neighbourhoods and landmarks in Harrismith
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Harrismith right now?
On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Harrismith is fair. NO2 is the main pollutant at 32.3/100. Pollution peaks around 12:00 PM (O3: 51.9/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Harrismith?
On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Harrismith will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 38.9/100. Pollution peaks around 1:00 AM (PM1: 38.9/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Harrismith?
At Harrismith, 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 Harrismith 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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