Worst air pollution Nelspruit, today and tomorrow
Today (9 August): Air quality in Nelspruit is fair. PM2.5 and PM1 are fair; AQI, NO2, O3, and SO2 are medium; PM10, CO, and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 1:00 PM (SO2: 58.9/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Nelspruit is fair. O3 increases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 10:00 AM (SO2: 47.3/100). 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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Nelspruit's air quality reflects the Mpumalanga Lowveld position in the Crocodile River valley at 660 metres, with vehicle traffic on the N4 and surrounding subtropical agricultural, tourism, and government operations contributing local sources. The surrounding Drakensberg escarpment and Lowveld basin can trap emissions on calm mornings, while the region's afternoon thermal winds generally aid dispersal through most of the year.
Today - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 13:00
AQI:
Medium
58.9/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
26.3/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
7.3/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Medium
42.1/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
40.6/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Medium
58.9/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
6.3/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
32.5/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 10:00
AQI:
Medium
47.3/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
21.3/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
5.9/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Medium
40.9/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
23.6/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Medium
47.3/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
4.3/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
27.1/100
Pollen forecast in Nelspruit
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Nelspruit right now?
On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Nelspruit is fair. PM1 is the main pollutant at 32.5/100. Pollution peaks around 1:00 PM (SO2: 58.9/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Nelspruit?
On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Nelspruit will be similar to today, with PM1 forecast at fair at 27.1/100. Pollution peaks around 10:00 AM (SO2: 47.3/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Nelspruit?
Air quality at Nelspruit is most likely to dip during the dry winter months from May to August, when dust and smoke from seasonal burning can build up on still, windless days across the bushveld. Conditions generally improve from November onward as the summer rains settle dust and wash pollutants from the air throughout the region.
Are air quality levels in Nelspruit 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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