Worst air pollution Virginia, today and tomorrow
Today (9 August): Air quality in Virginia is fair. PM2.5, SO2, and PM1 are fair; AQI and O3 are medium; PM10, NO2, CO, and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 2:00 PM (O3: 45.2/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Virginia is good. AQI improves to good; PM2.5 decreases to good; O3 decreases to good; SO2 decreases to good; PM1 decreases to good; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 10:00 AM (O3: 18.6/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
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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 - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 14:00
AQI:
Medium
45.2/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
23.9/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
6.5/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
15.0/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
45.2/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Fair
24.9/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
7.7/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
30.2/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 10:00
AQI:
Good
18.6/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
12.9/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
3.5/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
14.7/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
18.6/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
15.7/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
7.1/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
17.9/100
Pollen forecast in Virginia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Virginia right now?
On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Virginia is fair. PM1 is the main pollutant at 30.2/100. Pollution peaks around 2:00 PM (O3: 45.2/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Virginia?
On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Virginia will be better than today, with AQI forecast at good at 18.6/100. Pollution peaks around 10:00 AM (O3: 18.6/100).
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.
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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