Worst air pollution Virginia, today and tomorrow
Today (16 July): Air quality in Virginia is fair. NO2, O3, and PM1 are fair; AQI and SO2 are medium; PM2.5, PM10, CO, and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 10:00 PM (SO2: 40.1/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Virginia is fair. PM2.5 increases to fair; NO2 decreases to medium; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 10:00 PM (SO2: 45.1/100). 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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Virginia's air quality in South Africa reflects the Free State Highveld position at 1,323 metres in the gold mining corridor, with vehicle traffic on the N1 and the surrounding Harmony Gold mining operations generating elevated mineral dust PM10 and heavy metal particulates alongside the primary vehicle sources. Winter Highveld temperature inversions concentrate mining dust and vehicle emissions, while the elevated plateau position aids background dispersal on windy summer days.
Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 22:00
AQI:
Medium
40.1/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
19.2/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
5.1/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
35.0/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
24.8/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Medium
40.1/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
12.8/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
25.2/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 22:00
AQI:
Medium
45.1/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
24.1/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
6.7/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Medium
41.2/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
27.1/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Medium
45.1/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
17.0/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
30.4/100
Pollen forecast in Virginia
View pollen forecastFrequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Virginia right now?
On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Virginia is fair. NO2 is the main pollutant at 35.0/100. Pollution peaks around 10:00 PM (SO2: 40.1/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Virginia?
On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Virginia will be similar to today, with PM1 forecast at fair at 30.4/100. Pollution peaks around 10:00 PM (SO2: 45.1/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Virginia?
At Virginia, the poorest air quality usually occurs on still winter mornings from May to August, when smoke and vehicle emissions accumulate under a low temperature inversion typical of the Highveld plateau. From November onward, summer rains and afternoon winds generally restore clearer conditions that last through much of the warmer part of the year.
Are air quality levels in Virginia 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