Worst air pollution Vallcarca - Barcelona, today and tomorrow

On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Vallcarca is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 35.9/100. Pollution peaks around 3:00 PM (O3: 35.9/100).

On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Vallcarca will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 35.7/100. Pollution peaks around 2:00 PM (O3: 35.7/100).

What is the yearly air quality pattern like in Vallcarca? The year's lowest air quality readings tend to cluster in winter, when high-pressure systems suppress the mixing that would otherwise clear away exhaust and smoke. Spring generally sees a gradual recovery, driven by more frequent rain showers and stronger breezes that prevent pollutants from settling. Summer's intense heat and sunshine create ideal conditions for ozone formation, sometimes overshadowing the lower traffic volumes typical of the season. Autumn usually sees a steady return to cleaner conditions as the ozone-favouring heat of summer fades and rainfall picks up. The mild, breezy Mediterranean climate generally supports good dispersal, though summer crowds and Saharan dust intrusions can occasionally push levels higher.

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.

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.