Worst air pollution Leicester, today and tomorrow

On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Leicester is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 38.7/100. Pollution peaks around 4:00 PM (O3: 38.7/100).

On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Leicester will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 24.5/100. Pollution peaks around 5:00 PM (O3: 24.5/100).

Leicester doesn't have one fixed air quality level — it swings between two extremes each year. In summer, ozone can build up on sunny afternoons, though windier, warmer weather usually helps clear traffic-related pollution faster than in winter. Through the colder months, readings near the M6 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.

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.