Worst air pollution Bethesda, today and tomorrow
Today (16 July): Air quality in Bethesda is medium. AQI and O3 are medium; PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 9:00 AM (O3: 48.6/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Bethesda is medium. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 8:00 AM (O3: 51.8/100). 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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Bethesda's air quality reflects the Montgomery County Maryland inner suburb adjacent to Washington DC, with vehicle emissions from the Capital Beltway and I-270 and the surrounding NIH campus and government research corridor contributing local sources. The broader Washington DC metropolitan airshed contributes regional ozone, while the Bethesda-Chevy Chase corridor's affluent residential and research character generally maintains moderate conditions relative to the broader mid-Atlantic regional pollution background throughout the year.
Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 09:00
AQI:
Medium
48.6/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
13.4/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
11.9/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
3.9/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
48.6/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
0.8/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
8.4/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
9.4/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 08:00
AQI:
Medium
51.8/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
13.4/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
8.2/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
4.1/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
51.8/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
0.7/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
9.8/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
8.8/100
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Bethesda right now?
On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Bethesda is medium. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 48.6/100. Pollution peaks around 9:00 AM (O3: 48.6/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Bethesda?
On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Bethesda will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at medium at 51.8/100. Pollution peaks around 8:00 AM (O3: 51.8/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Bethesda?
Air quality in Bethesda shifts across the year: the cleanest stretch of the year usually comes in winter, but hot, humid summer conditions and regional haze drive ozone spikes, especially during heat waves. Suburban and rural areas generally see less of the persistent traffic-driven pollution that affects the urban core.
Are air quality levels in Bethesda 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