Worst air pollution Rayleigh, today and tomorrow
Today (16 July): Air quality in Rayleigh is fair. AQI, NO2, and O3 are fair; PM2.5, PM10, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 5:00 PM (O3: 31.3/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Rayleigh is fair. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 2:00 PM (O3: 35.5/100). 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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Rayleigh's position in Essex means air quality is mostly determined by local road traffic and the compact scale of the centre. The M90 generates consistent traffic-related NO₂ and PM2.5, particularly during peak commuting hours. Prevailing westerlies usually ensure decent dispersal, so levels generally stay within the moderate range typical of UK towns.
Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 17:00
AQI:
Fair
31.3/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
14.7/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
5.2/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
24.3/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
31.3/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
3.0/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
1.8/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
12.1/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 14:00
AQI:
Fair
35.5/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
16.5/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
5.8/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
21.6/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
35.5/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
3.4/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
2.7/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
13.5/100
Pollen forecast in Rayleigh
View pollen forecastFrequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Rayleigh right now?
On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Rayleigh is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 31.3/100. Pollution peaks around 5:00 PM (O3: 31.3/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Rayleigh?
On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Rayleigh will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 35.5/100. Pollution peaks around 2:00 PM (O3: 35.5/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Rayleigh?
Spring and autumn usually sit somewhere in between, so it's really the extremes of the year worth watching. In Rayleigh, pollution levels don't stay flat — winter and summer look pretty different. Through the colder months, readings near the M90 often rise, since chimney smoke and stagnant air stop pollutants clearing away. In summer, ozone can build up on sunny afternoons, though windier, warmer weather usually helps clear traffic-related pollution faster than in winter.
Are air quality levels in Rayleigh 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