Worst air pollution Newlands (Johannesburg) - Johannesburg, today and tomorrow
Today (9 August): Air quality in Newlands (Johannesburg) is very poor. AQI and SO2 are very poor; PM2.5, NO2, HCHO, and PM1 are poor; PM10 is fair; O3 is medium; CO is good. Pollution peaks around 2:00 AM (SO2: 89.0/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Newlands (Johannesburg) is fair. AQI improves to medium; PM2.5 decreases to fair; PM10 decreases to good; NO2 decreases to fair; O3 increases to fair; SO2 decreases to medium; HCHO decreases to fair; PM1 decreases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 9:00 AM (SO2: 43.6/100). 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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The Highveld plateau setting around Newlands (Johannesburg) means vehicle traffic and government, finance, and commercial operations are never far from the air quality picture, particularly once winter's still mornings set in. From spring onward, wind and rain reliably take over the job of clearing the air. Nearby towns on the plateau tend to see similar conditions.
Today - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 02:00
AQI:
Very poor
89.0/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Poor
62.8/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Fair
35.6/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Poor
61.6/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
59.8/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Very poor
89.0/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Poor
68.2/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Poor
73.1/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 09:00
AQI:
Medium
43.6/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
30.2/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
8.6/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
32.8/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
29.2/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Medium
43.6/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Fair
26.8/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
37.2/100
Other Landmarks in Johannesburg
Sports venues in Johannesburg
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Newlands (Johannesburg) right now?
On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Newlands (Johannesburg) is very poor. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 89.0/100. Pollution peaks around 2:00 AM (SO2: 89.0/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Newlands (Johannesburg)?
On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Newlands (Johannesburg) will be better than today, with PM1 forecast at fair at 37.2/100. Pollution peaks around 9:00 AM (SO2: 43.6/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Newlands (Johannesburg)?
Air quality at Newlands (Johannesburg) is most likely to dip during the dry winter months from May to August, when temperature inversions trap emissions from government, finance, and commercial operations close to the ground on still mornings. Conditions improve markedly once summer rains arrive from November, as stronger winds clear the plateau air, a seasonal pattern typical of the wider Highveld plateau.
Are air quality levels in Newlands (Johannesburg) 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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