Stellenbosch Air Quality Forecast - Today, Tomorrow
Air Quality Today
Today (10 October): Air quality in Stellenbosch is moderate. AQI, PM2.5, and PM1 are moderate; PM10, NO2, SO2, and HCHO are fair; O3 and CO are good. Pollution peaks around 10:00 PM (PM1: 59.9/100).
Air Quality Tomorrow
Tomorrow (11 October 2026): Air quality in Stellenbosch is poor. AQI worsens to poor; PM10 increases to moderate; O3 increases to fair; SO2 increases to moderate; HCHO increases to moderate; PM1 increases to poor; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (PM1: 68.0/100).
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Air Quality
Today - 10 October
| Pollutant | Level | Value |
|---|---|---|
| AQI | Moderate | 59.9/100 |
| PM2.5 (fine particles) | Moderate | 52.2/100 |
| PM10 (coarse particles) | Fair | 34.4/100 |
| NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) | Fair | 33.6/100 |
| O3 (ozone) | Good | 19.3/100 |
| SO2 (sulfur dioxide) | Fair | 30.6/100 |
| CO (carbon monoxide) | Good | 1.4/100 |
| HCHO (formaldehyde) | Fair | 37.8/100 |
| PM1 (ultrafine particles) | Moderate | 59.9/100 |
Tomorrow - 11 October
| Pollutant | Level | Value |
|---|---|---|
| AQI | Poor | 68.0/100 |
| PM2.5 (fine particles) | Moderate | 58.5/100 |
| PM10 (coarse particles) | Moderate | 40.6/100 |
| NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) | Fair | 29.0/100 |
| O3 (ozone) | Fair | 26.8/100 |
| SO2 (sulfur dioxide) | Moderate | 40.3/100 |
| CO (carbon monoxide) | Good | 1.8/100 |
| HCHO (formaldehyde) | Moderate | 42.3/100 |
| PM1 (ultrafine particles) | Poor | 68.0/100 |
Local Environmental Conditions
Around the heart of Stellenbosch, dense development means road traffic is the main local source of nitrogen dioxide and fine particles. Lying in a valley, the area is prone to temperature inversions that hold pollutants near the ground when winds drop. Parks and street trees provide a modest buffer against traffic pollution. Pollution carried in from the wider region can also raise levels at times.
Hot afternoons from January to February, averaging 21°C in the warmest month, are when ozone is most likely to build up. From July to September, cooler, still nights at around 12°C allow pollution to collect in the valley. Wildfire season runs roughly from November to February, when smoke from fires, near or far, can bring hazy days and very poor air quality.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Air Quality in Western Cape
Is air quality bad in Stellenbosch right now?
On 10 October 2026, overall air quality in Stellenbosch is moderate. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 59.9/100. Pollution peaks around 10:00 PM (PM1: 59.9/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Stellenbosch?
On 11 October 2026, air quality conditions in Stellenbosch will be worse than today, with AQI forecast at poor at 68.0/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (PM1: 68.0/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Stellenbosch?
Hot afternoons from January to February, averaging 21°C in the warmest month, are when ozone is most likely to build up. From July to September, cooler, still nights at around 12°C allow pollution to collect in the valley. Wildfire season runs roughly from November to February, when smoke from fires, near or far, can bring hazy days and very poor air quality.
Are air quality levels in Stellenbosch 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. |