Worst air pollution Southend-on-Sea, today and tomorrow

Today (16 July): Air quality in Southend-on-Sea 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 Southend-on-Sea is fair. NO2 decreases to good; all other 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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The A303 generates consistent traffic-related NO₂ and PM2.5, particularly during peak commuting hours. Air quality in Southend-on-Sea is shaped by its location in Southend-on-Sea, where vehicle traffic and everyday urban activity dominate local sources. Residential heating and light industry add a modest seasonal contribution, though northwesterly winds off the coast keep overall levels moderate.

Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 17:00

AQI:

Fair

31.3/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Good

14.0/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

4.9/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Fair

22.3/100

O3 (ozone):

Fair

31.3/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Good

2.7/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Good

1.8/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Good

11.6/100

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

15.8/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

5.6/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Good

19.9/100

O3 (ozone):

Fair

35.5/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Good

3.0/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Good

2.7/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Good

12.9/100

Pollen forecast in Southend-on-Sea

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is air quality bad in Southend-on-Sea right now?

On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Southend-on-Sea 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 Southend-on-Sea?

On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Southend-on-Sea 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 Southend-on-Sea?

There's a clear yearly cycle to air quality in Southend-on-Sea if you look closely. Summer sunshine can drive up ozone locally, though overall air generally moves and clears more freely than in winter. In deep winter, a lack of wind lets A303 traffic fumes and woodsmoke settle instead of blowing through. Most of spring and autumn stays fairly steady, right in the middle of those two extremes.

Are air quality levels in Southend-on-Sea 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