Worst air pollution Stellenbosch, today and tomorrow

Today (16 July): Air quality in Stellenbosch is fair. NO2 and O3 are fair; AQI, PM2.5, SO2, HCHO, and PM1 are medium; PM10 and CO are good. Pollution peaks around 12:00 AM (PM1: 47.8/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Stellenbosch is fair. PM10 increases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (PM1: 53.9/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.

For long term forecasts and maps, see the Airmine app

Developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team

Use our Strava plugin to check your own exposure.

Stellenbosch's air quality benefits from its Western Cape Winelands position, with consistent Atlantic southeasterly and northwesterly winds providing reliable ventilation through the Eerste River valley. Vehicle traffic on the R44 and the surrounding wine, fruit, and Stellenbosch University campus operations are the primary local sources, while the surrounding Helderberg, Jonkershoek, and Simonsberg mountains create topographic variation and the valley position provides generally moderate conditions throughout the year.

Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 00:00

AQI:

Medium

47.8/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Medium

43.7/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

16.1/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Fair

22.3/100

O3 (ozone):

Fair

25.1/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Medium

42.3/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Medium

45.3/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Medium

47.8/100

Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day

Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 23:00

AQI:

Medium

53.9/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Medium

47.9/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Fair

20.9/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Fair

22.1/100

O3 (ozone):

Fair

22.6/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Medium

42.3/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Medium

51.6/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Medium

53.9/100

Pollen forecast in Stellenbosch

View pollen forecast

Frequently Asked Questions

Is air quality bad in Stellenbosch right now?

On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Stellenbosch is fair. O3 is the main pollutant at 25.1/100. Pollution peaks around 12:00 AM (PM1: 47.8/100).

Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Stellenbosch?

On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Stellenbosch will be similar to today, with O3 forecast at fair at 22.6/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (PM1: 53.9/100).

When is air pollution at its worst in Stellenbosch?

At Stellenbosch, occasional poor air quality tends to occur on calm winter days from June to August, when the Cape's usual wind drops off and local emissions can build up overnight around the town. Through spring and summer, the reliable southeasterly wind returns and generally keeps particulate levels low and well dispersed across the wider region.

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.

Want to see air quality forecasts for other cities in South Africa?

Check air quality in other popular cities:

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