Worst air pollution Leicester, today and tomorrow
Today (16 July): Air quality in Leicester is fair. AQI and O3 are fair; PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 2:00 PM (O3: 28.5/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Leicester is fair. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 3:00 PM (O3: 31.9/100). 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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Being part of Leicester, Leicester sees an air quality profile that's largely down to traffic and general town-centre activity. Thanks to southwesterly winds, pollution rarely lingers for long, which keeps average readings fairly unremarkable by UK standards. Emissions along the M6 represent the town's main traffic-related pollution source.
Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 14:00
AQI:
Fair
28.5/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
8.7/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
3.0/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
3.6/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
28.5/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
0.8/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
2.1/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
6.9/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 15:00
AQI:
Fair
31.9/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
12.2/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
4.3/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
5.1/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
31.9/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
1.5/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
3.1/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
10.1/100
Pollen forecast in Leicester
View pollen forecastFrequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Leicester right now?
On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Leicester is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 28.5/100. Pollution peaks around 2:00 PM (O3: 28.5/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Leicester?
On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Leicester will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 31.9/100. Pollution peaks around 3:00 PM (O3: 31.9/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Leicester?
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.
Are air quality levels in Leicester 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