Worst air pollution Ames, today and tomorrow
Today (9 August): Air quality in Ames is fair. AQI, NO2, and O3 are fair; PM2.5, PM10, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 8:00 AM (O3: 32.8/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Ames is fair. AQI improves to medium; NO2 decreases to medium; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (NO2: 49.2/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
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Ames' air quality benefits from the flat Iowa prairie providing excellent wind dispersal, with vehicle emissions from I-35 and US-30 and the Iowa State University campus traffic contributing the primary local sources. Agricultural ammonia from surrounding Story County corn and soy operations contributes secondary particulate formation, while summer regional ozone from Midwest agricultural and industrial sources is the primary warm-season concern and the flat Iowa terrain maintains generally moderate conditions throughout the year.
Today - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 08:00
AQI:
Fair
32.8/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
10.1/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
3.1/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
30.2/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
32.8/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
3.7/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
6.0/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
12.3/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 23:00
AQI:
Medium
49.2/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
11.8/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
6.5/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Medium
49.2/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
34.7/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
5.0/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
5.7/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
8.1/100
Pollen forecast in Ames
View pollen forecastFrequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Ames right now?
On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Ames is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 32.8/100. Pollution peaks around 8:00 AM (O3: 32.8/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Ames?
On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Ames will be similar to today, with O3 forecast at fair at 34.7/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (NO2: 49.2/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Ames?
Ames follows a fairly predictable seasonal air quality pattern. Typically, the calmest air usually arrives in winter, between planting and harvest dust events, while spring planting and autumn harvest can push particulate levels up with dust and agricultural burning. Wide-open terrain generally helps disperse pollution quickly once the wind picks up.
Are air quality levels in Ames 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.
Why doesn’t the forecast always reflect wildfire impacts?
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.
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Data provided by Airmine — Last update: 9 August 2026 at 20:27 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.
Disclaimer: Forecasts are provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice. Actual pollen and air quality conditions may vary from the forecast. If you have allergies, asthma, or another medical condition, consult a healthcare professional. Please see our Terms of Service for important information about limitations of liability.
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