Worst air pollution Bedford, today and tomorrow

On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Bedford is fair. NO2 is the main pollutant at 36.6/100. Pollution peaks around 4:00 PM (O3: 57.0/100).

On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Bedford will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 24.6/100. Pollution peaks around 5:00 PM (O3: 24.6/100).

Bedford doesn't have one fixed air quality level — it swings between two extremes each year. Once the heating goes on and the air turns still, pollution from the M3 and nearby chimneys tends to build up rather than clear. Summer sunshine can drive up ozone locally, though overall air generally moves and clears more freely than in winter. Spring and autumn tend to be the calmer, more moderate stretches by comparison.

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.