Worst air pollution Cheltenham, today and tomorrow

Today (16 July): Air quality in Cheltenham is fair. AQI and O3 are fair; PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 4:00 PM (O3: 31.6/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Cheltenham is fair. NO2 increases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 3:00 PM (O3: 37.8/100). 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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Like much of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham's air quality is shaped less by industry these days and more by everyday road traffic. Northwesterly winds off the coast usually ensure decent dispersal, so levels generally stay within the moderate range typical of UK towns. Rush-hour queues near the A82 are usually when readings climb the most.

Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 16:00

AQI:

Fair

31.6/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Good

9.9/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

3.5/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Good

18.9/100

O3 (ozone):

Fair

31.6/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Good

3.1/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Good

2.8/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Good

8.7/100

Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day

Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 15:00

AQI:

Fair

37.8/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Good

15.1/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

5.2/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Fair

24.0/100

O3 (ozone):

Fair

37.8/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Good

5.2/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Good

4.0/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Good

13.5/100

Pollen forecast in Cheltenham

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is air quality bad in Cheltenham right now?

On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Cheltenham is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 31.6/100. Pollution peaks around 4:00 PM (O3: 31.6/100).

Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Cheltenham?

On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Cheltenham will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 37.8/100. Pollution peaks around 3:00 PM (O3: 37.8/100).

When is air pollution at its worst in Cheltenham?

Here's the thing about Cheltenham: air quality has a clear seasonal rhythm. Summer brings a different issue — stronger sunlight can push up ozone levels on hot, sunny days, even though traffic pollution itself often disperses more easily. Through the colder months, readings near the A82 often rise, since chimney smoke and stagnant air stop pollutants clearing away. Spring and autumn are typically the easiest months, air-quality-wise, for most residents.

Are air quality levels in Cheltenham 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.

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Data provided by Airmine — Last update: 16 July 2026 at 10:33 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.

For long term forecasts and maps, see the Airmine app