Worst air pollution Welkom, today and tomorrow
Today (16 July): Air quality in Welkom is fair. AQI and O3 are fair; PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 3:00 PM (O3: 24.8/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Welkom is fair. PM1 increases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 2:00 PM (O3: 27.1/100). 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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Welkom's air quality reflects the Free State Goldfields' major gold mining city, with the Harmony Gold and Sibanye operations generating elevated mine dust and cyanide processing byproducts alongside vehicle traffic on the N30. Winter Highveld temperature inversions concentrate mining dust and vehicle emissions, while the elevated 1,370-metre Highveld position aids background dispersal on windy summer days and the gold mining legacy represents the most distinctive local air quality source throughout the year.
Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 15:00
AQI:
Fair
24.8/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
12.0/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
3.2/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
0.1/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
24.8/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
0.1/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
12.8/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
17.1/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 14:00
AQI:
Fair
27.1/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
15.5/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
4.2/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
0.1/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
27.1/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
0.1/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
17.0/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
21.2/100
Pollen forecast in Welkom
View pollen forecastFrequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Welkom right now?
On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Welkom is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 24.8/100. Pollution peaks around 3:00 PM (O3: 24.8/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Welkom?
On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Welkom will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 27.1/100. Pollution peaks around 2:00 PM (O3: 27.1/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Welkom?
Air quality at Welkom is most likely to dip during the dry winter months from May to August, when temperature inversions trap vehicle and household emissions close to the ground on still mornings. Conditions improve markedly once the summer rains arrive from November, as stronger winds and regular thunderstorms clear the plateau air for the rest of the season.
Are air quality levels in Welkom 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