Worst air pollution Big Sur Coast - Big Sur, today and tomorrow
Today (30 August): Air quality in Big Sur Coast is moderate. AQI and O3 are moderate; PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 are fair; SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 8:00 AM (O3: 40.2/100).
Tomorrow (31 August 2026): Air quality in Big Sur Coast is moderate. PM2.5 increases to moderate; PM1 increases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 2:00 PM (O3: 41.9/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
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Big Sur's air quality benefits from its exceptional Pacific Ocean and California Central Coast position, with consistent Pacific sea breezes and marine layer providing among California's most reliable and powerful maritime ventilation along the dramatic cliffside Highway 1 corridor. The remote coastal wilderness and the outstanding Pacific exposure generally maintain excellent conditions, while summer wildfire smoke from the surrounding Los Padres National Forest is increasingly severe and the extraordinary coastal landscape otherwise maintains very good air quality throughout most of the year.
Today - 30 August | Pollution peaks at 08:00
AQI:
Moderate
40.2/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
33.5/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Fair
27.6/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
39.9/100
O3 (ozone):
Moderate
40.2/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
12.7/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
2.2/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
16.0/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 31 August | Pollution peaks at 14:00
AQI:
Moderate
41.9/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Moderate
40.6/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Fair
23.7/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
38.4/100
O3 (ozone):
Moderate
41.9/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
12.6/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
2.1/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
33.4/100
Other Landmarks in Big Sur
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Big Sur Coast right now?
On 30 August 2026, overall air quality in Big Sur Coast is moderate. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 40.2/100. Pollution peaks around 8:00 AM (O3: 40.2/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Big Sur Coast?
On 31 August 2026, air quality conditions in Big Sur Coast will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at moderate at 41.9/100. Pollution peaks around 2:00 PM (O3: 41.9/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Big Sur Coast?
Conditions at Big Sur Coast vary noticeably across the seasons. In short, the shortest stretch of clean air usually falls in the wetter winter months, whereas summer sunshine and heat drive some of the worst ozone readings in the country. The mountains ringing the basin can trap pollution close to the ground for days when winds are calm.
Are air quality levels in Big Sur Coast 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: 30 August 2026 at 20:26 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.
Some text on this page may be generated or summarised using artificial intelligence (AI). Wherever possible, AI-generated content is enriched with Airmine's proprietary data to improve its accuracy and relevance. However, AI-generated content may still contain errors, omissions, or inaccuracies.
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