Worst air pollution Bakersfield, today and tomorrow
Today (15 July): Air quality in Bakersfield is poor. AQI and NO2 are poor; PM2.5, SO2, and PM1 are fair; PM10 and O3 are medium; CO and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 3:00 PM (NO2: 63.8/100).
Tomorrow (16 July 2026): Air quality in Bakersfield is poor. PM2.5 decreases to medium; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 6:00 PM (NO2: 71.6/100). 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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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 - 15 July | Pollution peaks at 15:00
AQI:
Poor
63.8/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
39.0/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Medium
42.6/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Poor
63.8/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
42.7/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Fair
23.1/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
4.5/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
21.0/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 18:00
AQI:
Poor
71.6/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Medium
40.1/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Medium
40.4/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Poor
71.6/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
41.4/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Fair
32.4/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
5.2/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
33.1/100
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 15 July 2026, overall air quality in Bakersfield is poor. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 63.8/100. Pollution peaks around 3:00 PM (NO2: 63.8/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Bakersfield?
On 16 July 2026, air quality conditions in Bakersfield will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at poor at 71.6/100. Pollution peaks around 6:00 PM (NO2: 71.6/100).
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.
Want to see air quality forecasts for other cities in United States?
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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