Worst air pollution Mahikeng, today and tomorrow
Today (9 August): Air quality in Mahikeng is fair. AQI, PM2.5, NO2, O3, SO2, and PM1 are fair; PM10, CO, and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 2:00 PM (O3: 38.7/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Mahikeng is fair. AQI improves to medium; O3 decreases to good; SO2 decreases to medium; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (SO2: 42.0/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
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Mahikeng's air quality reflects its position on the semi-arid North West plateau near the Botswana border, with vehicle traffic on the N18 and dust from surrounding Kalahari sandveld agricultural operations contributing the primary local sources. Dry season burning from surrounding cattle farming and game reserve areas contributes seasonal PM10 and PM2.5, while the flat Highveld plain generally provides good background wind dispersal on most days throughout the year.
Today - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 14:00
AQI:
Fair
38.7/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
25.5/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
7.0/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
24.1/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
38.7/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Fair
32.0/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
6.2/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
32.1/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 23:00
AQI:
Medium
42.0/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
20.2/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
5.4/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
39.6/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
18.8/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Medium
42.0/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
8.1/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
26.1/100
Pollen forecast in Mahikeng
View pollen forecastFrequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Mahikeng right now?
On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Mahikeng is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 38.7/100. Pollution peaks around 2:00 PM (O3: 38.7/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Mahikeng?
On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Mahikeng will be similar to today, with NO2 forecast at fair at 39.6/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (SO2: 42.0/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Mahikeng?
At Mahikeng, 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 Mahikeng 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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