Worst air pollution Northcliff Extension - Johannesburg, today and tomorrow
Today (9 August): Air quality in Northcliff Extension 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: 100/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Northcliff Extension 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: 46.5/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
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Northcliff Extension's air quality reflects its position on the Highveld plateau, with vehicle traffic and government, finance, and commercial operations contributing to elevated PM2.5 at times. Winter temperature inversions can concentrate emissions close to the ground, while summer thunderstorms and stronger winds generally help clear the air across the open plateau. Conditions like these are common across much of the Highveld plateau.
Today - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 02:00
AQI:
Very poor
100/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Poor
64.2/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Fair
37.2/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Poor
68.7/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
59.8/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Very poor
100/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Poor
68.2/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Poor
75.0/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 09:00
AQI:
Medium
46.5/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
31.6/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
9.0/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
38.7/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
29.2/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Medium
46.5/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Fair
26.8/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
38.8/100
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Northcliff Extension right now?
On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Northcliff Extension is very poor. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 100/100. Pollution peaks around 2:00 AM (SO2: 100/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Northcliff Extension?
On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Northcliff Extension will be better than today, with PM1 forecast at fair at 38.8/100. Pollution peaks around 9:00 AM (SO2: 46.5/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Northcliff Extension?
At Northcliff Extension, the poorest air quality usually occurs on still winter mornings, when smoke and emissions from government, finance, and commercial operations accumulate under a low inversion typical of the Highveld. From November, summer rains and afternoon winds generally restore clearer conditions for the rest of the year, a seasonal pattern typical of the wider Highveld plateau.
Are air quality levels in Northcliff Extension 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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