Thaba Nchu Air Quality Forecast - Today, Tomorrow
Air Quality Today
Today (11 October): Air quality in Thaba Nchu 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 AM (PM1: 43.0/100).
Air Quality Tomorrow
Tomorrow (12 October 2026): Air quality in Thaba Nchu is moderate. PM2.5 decreases to fair; PM10 decreases to good; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 6:00 AM (PM1: 42.3/100).
Explore Forecasts
Pollen & Mold
Air Quality in Other Cities
Pollen in Other Cities
Get More in Our App
Local pollen and air quality forecasts, interactive pollen maps and route profiles
Features and forecast availability vary by region.
Air Quality
Today - 11 October
| Pollutant | Level | Value |
|---|---|---|
| AQI | Moderate | 43.0/100 |
| PM2.5 (fine particles) | Moderate | 40.7/100 |
| PM10 (coarse particles) | Fair | 20.2/100 |
| NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) | Good | 10.2/100 |
| O3 (ozone) | Fair | 38.7/100 |
| SO2 (sulfur dioxide) | Good | 8.5/100 |
| CO (carbon monoxide) | Good | 0.7/100 |
| HCHO (formaldehyde) | Good | 9.1/100 |
| PM1 (ultrafine particles) | Moderate | 43.0/100 |
Tomorrow - 12 October
| Pollutant | Level | Value |
|---|---|---|
| AQI | Moderate | 42.3/100 |
| PM2.5 (fine particles) | Fair | 36.8/100 |
| PM10 (coarse particles) | Good | 17.1/100 |
| NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) | Good | 8.9/100 |
| O3 (ozone) | Fair | 36.6/100 |
| SO2 (sulfur dioxide) | Good | 6.5/100 |
| CO (carbon monoxide) | Good | 0.7/100 |
| HCHO (formaldehyde) | Good | 7.5/100 |
| PM1 (ultrafine particles) | Moderate | 42.3/100 |
Local Environmental Conditions
Around the heart of Thaba Nchu, dense development means road traffic is the main local source of nitrogen dioxide and fine particles. At around 1,500 m above sea level, the air is generally well mixed, though calm, cold nights can trap smoke near the ground. The open grass and scrubland around the area can add dust in dry weather and smoke from occasional fires.
The cooler months, in July, see more fine particles, as home heating and traffic add emissions while frequent calm, cold mornings around 8°C keep pollution near the ground. From November to March, strong sunshine and temperatures around 23°C drive ozone formation, with levels peaking in the afternoon. From one day to the next, still, dry weather allows pollution to accumulate, and wind or rain clears it out.
Get pollen & AQ on Strava
Follow your environmental exposure and performance with the free Airmine-Strava integration. See your pollen and air quality exposure for every Strava activity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Quality in Free State
Is air quality bad in Thaba Nchu right now?
On 11 October 2026, overall air quality in Thaba Nchu is moderate. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 43.0/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 AM (PM1: 43.0/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Thaba Nchu?
On 12 October 2026, air quality conditions in Thaba Nchu will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at moderate at 42.3/100. Pollution peaks around 6:00 AM (PM1: 42.3/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Thaba Nchu?
The cooler months, in July, see more fine particles, as home heating and traffic add emissions while frequent calm, cold mornings around 8°C keep pollution near the ground. From November to March, strong sunshine and temperatures around 23°C drive ozone formation, with levels peaking in the afternoon. From one day to the next, still, dry weather allows pollution to accumulate, and wind or rain clears it out.
Are air quality levels in Thaba Nchu 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. |