Worst air pollution Bakersfield, today and tomorrow
Today (9 August): Air quality in Bakersfield is fair. PM2.5, PM10, SO2, and PM1 are fair; AQI, NO2, and O3 are medium; CO and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 10:00 AM (O3: 57.7/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Bakersfield is fair. O3 increases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (NO2: 55.5/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
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Bakersfield's air quality is among the worst in the US, sharing the San Joaquin Valley's enclosed basin with Fresno and facing the additional burden of oil and gas extraction emissions from the surrounding Kern County oil fields that add benzene and VOCs to the standard agricultural and vehicle pollution mix. Valley fog inversions trap emissions in winter, while summer heat drives severe ozone formation.
Today - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 10:00
AQI:
Medium
57.7/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
25.7/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Fair
20.6/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Medium
55.0/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
57.7/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Fair
28.8/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
5.0/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
21.4/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 23:00
AQI:
Medium
55.5/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
29.1/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Fair
27.2/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Medium
55.5/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
38.8/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Fair
23.8/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
4.0/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
23.5/100
Pollen forecast in Bakersfield
View pollen forecastAir quality forecasts for neighbourhoods and landmarks in Bakersfield
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Bakersfield right now?
On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Bakersfield is fair. SO2 is the main pollutant at 28.8/100. Pollution peaks around 10:00 AM (O3: 57.7/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Bakersfield?
On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Bakersfield will be similar to today, with O3 forecast at fair at 38.8/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (NO2: 55.5/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Bakersfield?
Seasonal changes shape air quality across Bakersfield. In short, winter typically brings the cleanest stretch, once occasional rain clears the basin, whereas hot, sunny summer conditions drive persistent ozone problems, compounded by wildfire smoke risk into early autumn. Coastal breezes offer some relief compared to inland valley locations that see heavier smog buildup.
Are air quality levels in Bakersfield 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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