Worst air pollution Hitchin, today and tomorrow

Today (9 August): Air quality in Hitchin is fair. PM2.5 and PM1 are fair; AQI, NO2, and O3 are medium; PM10, SO2, CO, and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 4:00 PM (O3: 57.0/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Hitchin is fair. AQI worsens to fair; PM2.5 decreases to good; NO2 decreases to good; O3 increases to fair; PM1 decreases to good; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 5:00 PM (O3: 24.6/100). 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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The A47 generates consistent traffic-related NO₂ and PM2.5, particularly during peak commuting hours. Hitchin sits within Hertfordshire, and its air quality profile is driven mainly by road traffic and the density of the centre. Cooler northerly winds do most of the work keeping things in check, more so than any local policy or infrastructure change.

Today - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 16:00

AQI:

Medium

57.0/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Fair

21.1/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

5.8/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Medium

41.8/100

O3 (ozone):

Medium

57.0/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Good

6.6/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Good

7.0/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Fair

26.5/100

Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day

Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 17:00

AQI:

Fair

24.6/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Good

5.4/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

2.0/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Good

13.4/100

O3 (ozone):

Fair

24.6/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Good

2.6/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Good

3.2/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Good

4.0/100

Pollen forecast in Hitchin

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is air quality bad in Hitchin right now?

On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Hitchin is fair. PM1 is the main pollutant at 26.5/100. Pollution peaks around 4:00 PM (O3: 57.0/100).

Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Hitchin?

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

When is air pollution at its worst in Hitchin?

You can roughly predict Hitchin's air quality just by knowing the time of year. Once the heating goes on and the air turns still, pollution from the A47 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 are typically the easiest months, air-quality-wise, for most residents.

Are air quality levels in Hitchin 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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