Worst air pollution Tlhabane - Rustenburg, today and tomorrow
Today (9 August): Air quality in Tlhabane is fair. O3 is fair; AQI, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, and PM1 are medium; PM10, CO, and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 8:00 AM (SO2: 47.6/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Tlhabane is fair. PM2.5 decreases to good; NO2 increases to fair; PM1 increases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 8:00 AM (SO2: 40.1/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
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Tlhabane lies roughly 160 km east of Mahikeng. At Tlhabane, vehicle traffic and platinum mining and tourism operations drive most of the local emissions picture in this bushveld setting. Dry winter days can see dust and smoke accumulate under still conditions, while the onset of summer rains generally clears the air across the wider savanna. Similar patterns show up in most bushveld towns of a similar size.
Today - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 08:00
AQI:
Medium
47.6/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Medium
42.2/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
14.1/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Medium
41.5/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
36.1/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Medium
47.6/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
9.7/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Medium
45.5/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 08:00
AQI:
Medium
40.1/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
18.3/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
5.2/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
35.8/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
21.8/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Medium
40.1/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
4.4/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
22.9/100
Other Landmarks in Rustenburg
Sports venues in Rustenburg
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Tlhabane right now?
On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Tlhabane is fair. O3 is the main pollutant at 36.1/100. Pollution peaks around 8:00 AM (SO2: 47.6/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Tlhabane?
On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Tlhabane will be similar to today, with NO2 forecast at fair at 35.8/100. Pollution peaks around 8:00 AM (SO2: 40.1/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Tlhabane?
Tlhabane's poorest air quality typically comes in the dry winter season, when dust from platinum mining and tourism operations builds up on calm days across the surrounding savanna. From November, the summer rains usually clear the air and keep conditions favourable for the rest of the season, a seasonal pattern typical of the broader bushveld region.
Are air quality levels in Tlhabane 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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