Worst air pollution Loja, today and tomorrow

On 20 September 2026, overall air quality in Loja is moderate. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 42.1/100. Pollution peaks around 10:00 AM (PM2.5: 42.1/100).

On 21 September 2026, air quality conditions in Loja will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at moderate at 41.5/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 AM (PM2.5: 41.5/100).

When is air quality typically worst in Loja? Winter high-pressure systems tend to produce the year's worst episodes, as still air traps traffic fumes and heating smoke at ground level. Spring generally sees a gradual recovery, driven by more frequent rain showers and stronger breezes that prevent pollutants from settling. The long, hot days of summer favour ozone build-up, which can spike on the stillest, sunniest afternoons. Autumn usually sees a steady return to cleaner conditions as the ozone-favouring heat of summer fades and rainfall picks up. The south's long, hot summers and occasional calima dust events from across the Strait tend to intensify the usual seasonal swings.

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.