Worst air pollution Santa Cruz, today and tomorrow
Today (9 August): Air quality in Santa Cruz is fair. O3 is fair; AQI, PM2.5, and PM10 are medium; NO2, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 6:00 AM (PM10: 55.6/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Santa Cruz is fair. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 8:00 PM (PM10: 51.0/100). 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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Santa Cruz's air quality benefits from the consistent northeast trade winds (alisios) that provide reliable ventilation across this Tenerife capital and major cargo port for most of the year. The CEPSA oil refinery and the busy commercial harbour are the primary industrial sources, alongside vehicle traffic on the TF-5 motorway, while the Anaga massif rising steeply behind the city can trap emissions against the coast under calm conditions, and Saharan dust intrusions periodically add elevated PM10 across the wider archipelago.
Today - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 06:00
AQI:
Medium
55.6/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Medium
43.4/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Medium
55.6/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
1.1/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
25.6/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
1.6/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
1.0/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
6.9/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 20:00
AQI:
Medium
51.0/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Medium
42.5/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Medium
51.0/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
1.1/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
30.5/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
6.0/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
1.1/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
7.6/100
Sports venues in Santa Cruz
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Santa Cruz right now?
On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Santa Cruz is fair. O3 is the main pollutant at 25.6/100. Pollution peaks around 6:00 AM (PM10: 55.6/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Santa Cruz?
On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Santa Cruz will be similar to today, with O3 forecast at fair at 30.5/100. Pollution peaks around 8:00 PM (PM10: 51.0/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Santa Cruz?
How do the seasons affect air quality in Santa Cruz? 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. By spring, air quality usually starts trending upward as the calm winter inversions give way to more unsettled, breezier weather. Summer can bring periodic wildfire smoke on top of the usual ozone build-up from intense heat and sunshine. Air quality usually improves through autumn, as returning rains and cooling temperatures wash out summer's ozone and dust build-up. Being closest to the Sahara, these islands see calima dust events more often than any other part of Spain, on top of an otherwise mild, trade-wind climate.
Are air quality levels in Santa Cruz 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: 9 August 2026 at 20:27 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.
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