Worst air pollution Newcastle, today and tomorrow
Today (9 August): Air quality in Newcastle is very poor. AQI and SO2 are very poor; O3 is poor; PM2.5, NO2, and PM1 are medium; PM10, CO, and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 11:00 AM (SO2: 87.1/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Newcastle is fair. AQI improves to medium; O3 decreases to good; SO2 decreases to medium; HCHO increases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 3:00 AM (SO2: 55.3/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
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Newcastle's air quality reflects its position in the KwaZulu-Natal Highveld coal and steel corridor at around 1,200 metres, with the ArcelorMittal steelworks and surrounding coal mining operations generating elevated PM2.5 and SO₂ alongside vehicle traffic on the N11. Winter Highveld temperature inversions can concentrate industrial emissions across the plateau, while summer thunderstorms and stronger winds generally aid dispersal.
Today - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 11:00
AQI:
Very poor
87.1/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Medium
41.0/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
12.6/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Medium
52.6/100
O3 (ozone):
Poor
64.1/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Very poor
87.1/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
17.5/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Medium
44.0/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 03:00
AQI:
Medium
55.3/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Medium
40.5/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
11.9/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Medium
47.8/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
15.0/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Medium
55.3/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Fair
20.4/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Medium
43.2/100
Pollen forecast in Newcastle
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Newcastle right now?
On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Newcastle is very poor. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 87.1/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 AM (SO2: 87.1/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Newcastle?
On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Newcastle will be better than today, with HCHO forecast at fair at 20.4/100. Pollution peaks around 3:00 AM (SO2: 55.3/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Newcastle?
At Newcastle, winter mornings from May to August tend to bring the poorest air quality, as the cooler, drier Midlands climate favours brief temperature inversions that trap local emissions near the surface. From spring through summer, rainfall and stronger winds typically restore clearer, more consistent conditions across the area for the rest of the year.
Are air quality levels in Newcastle 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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