Big Bear Lake Air Quality Forecast - Today, Tomorrow
Air Quality Today
Today (10 October): Air quality in Big Bear Lake is fair. AQI, NO2, and O3 are fair; PM2.5, PM10, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 5:00 AM (O3: 28.8/100).
Air Quality Tomorrow
Tomorrow (11 October 2026): Air quality in Big Bear Lake is moderate. AQI worsens to moderate; PM2.5 increases to fair; PM10 increases to moderate; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 7:00 AM (PM10: 40.5/100).
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Air Quality
Today - 10 October
| Pollutant | Level | Value |
|---|---|---|
| AQI | Fair | 28.8/100 |
| PM2.5 (fine particles) | Good | 9.3/100 |
| PM10 (coarse particles) | Good | 15.2/100 |
| NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) | Fair | 23.3/100 |
| O3 (ozone) | Fair | 28.8/100 |
| SO2 (sulfur dioxide) | Good | 0.9/100 |
| CO (carbon monoxide) | Good | 0.5/100 |
| HCHO (formaldehyde) | Good | 1.4/100 |
| PM1 (ultrafine particles) | Good | 2.1/100 |
Tomorrow - 11 October
| Pollutant | Level | Value |
|---|---|---|
| AQI | Moderate | 40.5/100 |
| PM2.5 (fine particles) | Fair | 26.2/100 |
| PM10 (coarse particles) | Moderate | 40.5/100 |
| NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) | Fair | 31.3/100 |
| O3 (ozone) | Fair | 26.0/100 |
| SO2 (sulfur dioxide) | Good | 0.7/100 |
| CO (carbon monoxide) | Good | 0.5/100 |
| HCHO (formaldehyde) | Good | 1.4/100 |
| PM1 (ultrafine particles) | Good | 6.0/100 |
Local Environmental Conditions
Around Big Bear Lake, a mix of built-up land and open space means traffic is an important, but not overwhelming, local pollution source. Lying in a basin at around 2,060 m, the area is prone to temperature inversions that hold pollutants near the ground when winds drop. Trees nearby help filter some particles from the air, though in hot weather they also emit compounds that feed ozone formation.
From January to March, cold air settles into the basin on calm nights and traps emissions from home heating and traffic near the ground; temperatures average about 9°C. From June to September, strong sunshine and temperatures around 28°C drive ozone formation, with levels peaking in the afternoon. Wildfire smoke is most likely from May to October, sometimes turning the sky hazy for days.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Air Quality in California
Is air quality bad in Big Bear Lake right now?
On 10 October 2026, overall air quality in Big Bear Lake is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 28.8/100. Pollution peaks around 5:00 AM (O3: 28.8/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Big Bear Lake?
On 11 October 2026, air quality conditions in Big Bear Lake will be worse than today, with AQI forecast at moderate at 40.5/100. Pollution peaks around 7:00 AM (PM10: 40.5/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Big Bear Lake?
From January to March, cold air settles into the basin on calm nights and traps emissions from home heating and traffic near the ground; temperatures average about 9°C. From June to September, strong sunshine and temperatures around 28°C drive ozone formation, with levels peaking in the afternoon. Wildfire smoke is most likely from May to October, sometimes turning the sky hazy for days.
Are air quality levels in Big Bear Lake 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.
Understanding the Scale
The 0–100 air quality scores represent risk levels, not direct air pollutant concentrations. Higher scores indicate higher risk.
Air Quality
| Good | 0-20 | Low air quality risk. Air quality is expected to be good, with low levels of pollution. |
| Fair | 20-40 | Generally low air quality risk. Air quality is expected to be acceptable, with some pollution present. |
| Moderate | 40-60 | Moderate air quality risk. Air pollution is elevated and air quality may be less favorable. |
| Poor | 60-80 | High air quality risk. Air pollution is high and air quality is expected to be poor. |
| Very Poor | 80-100 | Very high air quality risk. Air pollution is very high and air quality is expected to be very poor. |