Worst air pollution Alston, today and tomorrow
Today (9 August): Air quality in Alston is fair. AQI and O3 are fair; PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 12:00 PM (O3: 24.2/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Alston is good. AQI improves to good; O3 decreases to good; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (O3: 18.3/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
Get the full experience in the Airmine app.
Developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team
Follow your pollen exposure and performance with the free Airmine–Strava integration. See your pollen and air quality exposure for every Strava activity.
Traffic on the A34 is the most significant local emissions source, especially at peak times. Alston's air quality reflects its position within Cumbria, with local traffic and the town's built-up core as the main contributors. Northwesterly winds off the coast usually ensure decent dispersal, so levels generally stay within the moderate range typical of UK towns.
Today - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 12:00
AQI:
Fair
24.2/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
16.6/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
6.7/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
12.4/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
24.2/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
4.8/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
2.4/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
8.8/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 23:00
AQI:
Good
18.3/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
8.4/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
3.5/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
5.1/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
18.3/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
2.0/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
2.8/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
4.7/100
Pollen forecast in Alston
View pollen forecastFrequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Alston right now?
On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Alston is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 24.2/100. Pollution peaks around 12:00 PM (O3: 24.2/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Alston?
On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Alston will be better than today, with AQI forecast at good at 18.3/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (O3: 18.3/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Alston?
Ask a local in Alston and they'll tell you air quality changes noticeably from season to season. Warmer months swap one problem for another — less smoke and heating pollution, but more ozone on the sunniest days. Winter tends to be worst, with wood burning, home heating, and still, cold air trapping traffic fumes from the A34 closer to ground level. Most of spring and autumn stays fairly steady, right in the middle of those two extremes.
Are air quality levels in Alston 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.
Want to see air quality forecasts for other cities in United Kingdom?
Check air quality in other popular cities:
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.
Get the full experience in the Airmine app.