Worst air pollution Ladysmith, today and tomorrow
Today (9 August): Air quality in Ladysmith is fair. PM2.5, NO2, and SO2 are fair; AQI, O3, and PM1 are medium; PM10, CO, and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 1:00 PM (O3: 52.1/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Ladysmith is fair. AQI worsens to fair; O3 decreases to good; PM1 increases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 12:00 AM (PM1: 29.2/100). 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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Ladysmith's air quality reflects the KwaZulu-Natal Highveld position at 1,072 metres, with vehicle traffic on the N11 and the legacy of Platplass Heavy Engineering and surrounding industrial and agricultural operations contributing local sources. The surrounding Drakensberg foothills create topographic variation, while winter temperature inversions can concentrate vehicle and heating emissions and the elevated highland position aids background dispersal on the frequent windy days throughout the year.
Today - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 13:00
AQI:
Medium
52.1/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
33.8/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
9.4/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
24.7/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
52.1/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Fair
32.4/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
5.7/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Medium
40.5/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 00:00
AQI:
Fair
29.2/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
23.0/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
6.2/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
20.9/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
17.1/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Fair
20.6/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
3.6/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
29.2/100
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Ladysmith right now?
On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Ladysmith is fair. PM2.5 is the main pollutant at 33.8/100. Pollution peaks around 1:00 PM (O3: 52.1/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Ladysmith?
On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Ladysmith will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 29.2/100. Pollution peaks around 12:00 AM (PM1: 29.2/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Ladysmith?
Air quality at Ladysmith is most likely to dip during the dry winter months, when cool, still mornings allow temperature inversions to briefly trap local emissions close to the ground across the Midlands. Conditions generally improve from spring onward as summer rains and stronger winds return to clear the air throughout the wider region.
Are air quality levels in Ladysmith 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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