Worst air pollution Saffron Walden, today and tomorrow

Today (16 July): Air quality in Saffron Walden is fair. AQI, NO2, and O3 are fair; PM2.5, PM10, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 4:00 PM (O3: 31.6/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Saffron Walden is fair. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 3:00 PM (O3: 36.0/100). 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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Saffron Walden sits within Essex, and its air quality profile is driven mainly by road traffic and the density of the centre. The area's changeable Atlantic weather generally provide reasonable ventilation, keeping levels close to typical UK urban averages for a town this size. The A34 generates consistent traffic-related NO₂ and PM2.5, particularly during peak commuting hours.

Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 16:00

AQI:

Fair

31.6/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Good

12.3/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

4.1/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Fair

21.8/100

O3 (ozone):

Fair

31.6/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Good

3.7/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Good

2.5/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Good

10.7/100

Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day

Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 15:00

AQI:

Fair

36.0/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Good

16.2/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

5.6/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Fair

25.7/100

O3 (ozone):

Fair

36.0/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Good

4.9/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Good

3.3/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Good

14.6/100

Pollen forecast in Saffron Walden

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is air quality bad in Saffron Walden right now?

On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Saffron Walden 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 Saffron Walden?

On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Saffron Walden will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 36.0/100. Pollution peaks around 3:00 PM (O3: 36.0/100).

When is air pollution at its worst in Saffron Walden?

Here's the thing about Saffron Walden: air quality has a clear seasonal rhythm. Winter mornings can be the trickiest, with cold, still conditions trapping A34 traffic fumes and smoke from home fires close to the ground. Warmer months swap one problem for another — less smoke and heating pollution, but more ozone on the sunniest days. Spring and autumn tend to be the calmer, more moderate stretches by comparison.

Are air quality levels in Saffron Walden 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