Nqutu Air Quality Forecast - Today, Tomorrow
Air Quality Today
Today (10 October): Air quality in Nqutu is moderate. AQI, PM2.5, and PM1 are moderate; PM10 and O3 are fair; NO2, SO2, CO, and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (PM1: 44.9/100).
Air Quality Tomorrow
Tomorrow (11 October 2026): Air quality in Nqutu is moderate. NO2 increases to fair; SO2 increases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 7:00 AM (PM1: 49.7/100).
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Air Quality
Today - 10 October
| Pollutant | Level | Value |
|---|---|---|
| AQI | Moderate | 44.9/100 |
| PM2.5 (fine particles) | Moderate | 43.4/100 |
| PM10 (coarse particles) | Fair | 20.2/100 |
| NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) | Good | 19.1/100 |
| O3 (ozone) | Fair | 31.0/100 |
| SO2 (sulfur dioxide) | Good | 7.4/100 |
| CO (carbon monoxide) | Good | 0.9/100 |
| HCHO (formaldehyde) | Good | 6.2/100 |
| PM1 (ultrafine particles) | Moderate | 44.9/100 |
Tomorrow - 11 October
| Pollutant | Level | Value |
|---|---|---|
| AQI | Moderate | 49.7/100 |
| PM2.5 (fine particles) | Moderate | 47.2/100 |
| PM10 (coarse particles) | Fair | 24.3/100 |
| NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) | Fair | 24.0/100 |
| O3 (ozone) | Fair | 33.9/100 |
| SO2 (sulfur dioxide) | Fair | 26.1/100 |
| CO (carbon monoxide) | Good | 1.0/100 |
| HCHO (formaldehyde) | Good | 11.0/100 |
| PM1 (ultrafine particles) | Moderate | 49.7/100 |
Local Environmental Conditions
With little dense development around the center of Nqutu, local traffic emissions are modest. The area can also be affected by smoke from crop burning in the wider region. Open grassland and scrub can produce smoke during grass fires and some dust in dry spells. Levels are generally highest right next to busy roads and drop off quickly with distance.
Summer sun from November to March cooks traffic fumes into ozone, especially in the warmest month, which averages 21°C. Later, cooler, still evenings from June to August, averaging about 11°C, tend to hold exhaust close to busy streets. With little rain from May to August, dust from dry fields and open ground becomes more common. At times, smoke from crop burning in the wider region also affects air quality.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Air Quality in KwaZulu-Natal
Is air quality bad in Nqutu right now?
On 10 October 2026, overall air quality in Nqutu is moderate. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 44.9/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (PM1: 44.9/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Nqutu?
On 11 October 2026, air quality conditions in Nqutu will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at moderate at 49.7/100. Pollution peaks around 7:00 AM (PM1: 49.7/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Nqutu?
Summer sun from November to March cooks traffic fumes into ozone, especially in the warmest month, which averages 21°C. Later, cooler, still evenings from June to August, averaging about 11°C, tend to hold exhaust close to busy streets. With little rain from May to August, dust from dry fields and open ground becomes more common. At times, smoke from crop burning in the wider region also affects air quality.
Are air quality levels in Nqutu 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.
Understanding the Scale
The 0–100 air quality scores represent risk levels, not direct air pollutant concentrations. Higher scores indicate higher risk.
Air Quality
| Good | 0-20 | Low air quality risk. Air quality is expected to be good, with low levels of pollution. |
| Fair | 20-40 | Generally low air quality risk. Air quality is expected to be acceptable, with some pollution present. |
| Moderate | 40-60 | Moderate air quality risk. Air pollution is elevated and air quality may be less favorable. |
| Poor | 60-80 | High air quality risk. Air pollution is high and air quality is expected to be poor. |
| Very Poor | 80-100 | Very high air quality risk. Air pollution is very high and air quality is expected to be very poor. |