Worst air pollution Harrismith, today and tomorrow
Today (16 July): Air quality in Harrismith is fair. AQI, PM2.5, NO2, O3, SO2, and PM1 are fair; PM10, CO, and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 12:00 AM (SO2: 37.1/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Harrismith is fair. PM2.5 decreases to good; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (NO2: 37.2/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
For long term forecasts and maps, see the Airmine app
Developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team
Use our Strava plugin to check your own exposure.
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 - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 00:00
AQI:
Fair
37.1/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
21.4/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
5.8/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
35.0/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
30.3/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Fair
37.1/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
12.1/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
27.5/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 23:00
AQI:
Fair
37.2/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
18.3/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
4.9/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
37.2/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
26.2/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Fair
34.1/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
10.6/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
24.1/100
Pollen forecast in Harrismith
View pollen forecastFrequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Harrismith right now?
On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Harrismith is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 37.1/100. Pollution peaks around 12:00 AM (SO2: 37.1/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Harrismith?
On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Harrismith will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 37.2/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (NO2: 37.2/100).
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.
Want to see air quality forecasts for other cities in South Africa?
Check air quality in other popular cities:
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