Worst air pollution Barcelona, today and tomorrow
Today (20 September): Air quality in Barcelona is moderate. AQI and NO2 are moderate; PM2.5, O3, and PM1 are fair; PM10, SO2, CO, and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 10:00 AM (NO2: 42.2/100).
Tomorrow (21 September 2026): Air quality in Barcelona is moderate. PM2.5 increases to moderate; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 11:00 AM (NO2: 49.0/100). 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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Barcelona's air quality is shaped by the Eixample's dense street canyon geometry and the surrounding sea and mountain topography, with the Collserola hills blocking northwesterly ventilation and the Mediterranean sea breeze providing afternoon relief. Summer ozone and winter NO₂ episodes are the primary recurring air quality concerns across the metropolitan area.
Today - 20 September | Pollution peaks at 10:00
AQI:
Moderate
42.2/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
37.3/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
17.8/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Moderate
42.2/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
23.6/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
2.8/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.7/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
5.3/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
25.1/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 21 September | Pollution peaks at 11:00
AQI:
Moderate
49.0/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Moderate
41.5/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
19.8/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Moderate
49.0/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
21.9/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
4.6/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.7/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
6.4/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
35.1/100
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Barcelona right now?
On 20 September 2026, overall air quality in Barcelona is moderate. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 42.2/100. Pollution peaks around 10:00 AM (NO2: 42.2/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Barcelona?
On 21 September 2026, air quality conditions in Barcelona will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at moderate at 49.0/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 AM (NO2: 49.0/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Barcelona?
What is the yearly air quality pattern like in Barcelona? The coldest months usually see the year's poorest conditions, since calm anticyclonic weather holds local traffic and wood-burning pollution near street level. Conditions generally start to recover in spring, as increasing wind and rainfall break up the stagnant air masses typical of winter. During summer, strong sunlight and high temperatures accelerate ozone formation, occasionally offsetting the drop in traffic and heating-related emissions. Autumn typically starts mild and can still see occasional ozone or dust episodes before rain and cooler temperatures gradually restore cleaner conditions. Being on the Mediterranean coast helps with dispersal most of the year, though summer tourism and North African dust episodes remain a factor.
Are air quality levels in Barcelona 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: 20 September 2026 at 08:37 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.
Some text on this page may be generated or summarised using artificial intelligence (AI). Wherever possible, AI-generated content is enriched with Airmine's proprietary data to improve its accuracy and relevance. However, AI-generated content may still contain errors, omissions, or inaccuracies.
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