Worst air pollution Centro - Madrid, today and tomorrow

On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Centro is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 34.2/100. Pollution peaks around 3:00 PM (O3: 34.2/100).

On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Centro will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 35.6/100. Pollution peaks around 4:00 PM (O3: 35.6/100).

What is the yearly air quality pattern like in Centro? Winter high-pressure systems tend to produce the year's worst episodes, as still air traps traffic fumes and heating smoke at ground level. Air quality usually improves through spring, helped by more frequent frontal systems that bring rain and stronger winds to disperse local emissions. Hot, stagnant summer air favours ozone formation, and dry vegetation nearby occasionally adds wildfire smoke to the mix during peak heat. Autumn generally marks the shift back toward calmer, cleaner conditions as temperatures drop and rainfall becomes more regular. Being inland, this area sees more extreme summer heat and winter cold, which sharpens the seasonal contrast in air quality.

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.