Worst air pollution Richards Bay, today and tomorrow
Today (16 July): Air quality in Richards Bay is fair. PM2.5, O3, and PM1 are fair; AQI and SO2 are medium; PM10, NO2, CO, and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 7:00 AM (SO2: 41.1/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Richards Bay is fair. AQI worsens to fair; SO2 increases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 10:00 PM (SO2: 36.2/100). 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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Richards Bay's air quality faces significant industrial challenges as KwaZulu-Natal's main industrial port, with the Richards Bay Coal Terminal — one of the world's largest coal export facilities — generating elevated coal dust PM10 alongside the Alcan aluminium smelter and surrounding titanium and chemical operations. Indian Ocean sea breezes provide coastal ventilation, while the industrial complex's scale makes Richards Bay one of South Africa's most distinctively industrial port-dominated urban air quality environments throughout the year.
Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 07:00
AQI:
Medium
41.1/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
24.8/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
7.6/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
18.5/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
32.3/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Medium
41.1/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
7.1/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
28.8/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 22:00
AQI:
Fair
36.2/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
29.1/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
8.8/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
19.9/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
35.2/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Fair
36.2/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
5.6/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
33.1/100
Pollen forecast in Richards Bay
View pollen forecastFrequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Richards Bay right now?
On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Richards Bay is fair. O3 is the main pollutant at 32.3/100. Pollution peaks around 7:00 AM (SO2: 41.1/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Richards Bay?
On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Richards Bay will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 36.2/100. Pollution peaks around 10:00 PM (SO2: 36.2/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Richards Bay?
Air quality at Richards Bay is generally stable year-round thanks to consistent Indian Ocean sea breezes, though hot, still, humid days in mid-summer can occasionally allow haze and local emissions to build up before the breeze returns. Winter months typically see the most reliable ventilation and the clearest conditions overall across the coastal area.
Are air quality levels in Richards Bay 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.
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Data provided by Airmine — Last update: 16 July 2026 at 10:33 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.
For long term forecasts and maps, see the Airmine app