Worst air pollution Santutxu - Bilbao, today and tomorrow

On 19 July 2026, overall air quality in Santutxu is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 31.3/100. Pollution peaks around 3:00 PM (O3: 31.3/100).

On 20 July 2026, air quality conditions in Santutxu will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 38.2/100. Pollution peaks around 5:00 PM (O3: 38.2/100).

When is air quality typically worst in Santutxu? Cold, windless spells in December and January are usually when conditions dip most, as heating emissions and traffic fumes accumulate under a stable atmosphere. Spring often marks a turning point, with increasing storminess and rainfall helping to clear accumulated exhaust and smoke from the air. Summer's combination of intense sun and high temperatures makes ozone the main concern, occasionally compounded by wildfire smoke during dry, windy spells. Air quality usually improves through autumn, as returning rains and cooling temperatures wash out summer's ozone and dust build-up. The area's maritime climate, with frequent fronts rolling in off the Atlantic, generally prevents pollution from lingering for long.

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.