Worst air pollution Cradle of Humankind - Krugersdorp, today and tomorrow
Today (9 August): Air quality in Cradle of Humankind is fair. PM2.5 and HCHO are fair; AQI, O3, and PM1 are medium; PM10, NO2, SO2, and CO are good. Pollution peaks around 2:00 PM (O3: 42.6/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Cradle of Humankind is fair. AQI worsens to fair; PM2.5 decreases to good; O3 increases to fair; PM1 increases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 8:00 AM (PM1: 24.8/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
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Cradle of Humankind lies roughly 50 km northwest of Johannesburg. Air quality at Cradle of Humankind is shaped by its Highveld plateau setting, where vehicle traffic and government, finance, and commercial operations are the main local sources of particulate pollution. Dry winter mornings often see temperature inversions trap emissions near the surface, while summer rains and afternoon winds typically improve dispersal conditions. This mirrors what's typical for towns across the wider plateau region.
Today - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 14:00
AQI:
Medium
42.6/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
36.6/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
10.3/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
0/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
42.6/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
0/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Fair
32.0/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Medium
41.5/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 08:00
AQI:
Fair
24.8/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
19.2/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
5.2/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
0/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
23.1/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
0/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Fair
21.6/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
24.8/100
Other Landmarks in Krugersdorp
Sports venues in Krugersdorp
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Cradle of Humankind right now?
On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Cradle of Humankind is fair. PM2.5 is the main pollutant at 36.6/100. Pollution peaks around 2:00 PM (O3: 42.6/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Cradle of Humankind?
On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Cradle of Humankind will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 24.8/100. Pollution peaks around 8:00 AM (PM1: 24.8/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Cradle of Humankind?
The dry Highveld winter brings the worst air quality to Cradle of Humankind, as calm mornings let emissions from government, finance, and commercial operations linger close to the ground. Once summer rains arrive around November, stronger winds and regular storms typically clear the air across the wider plateau, a seasonal pattern typical of the wider Highveld plateau.
Are air quality levels in Cradle of Humankind 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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