Worst air pollution Chapel Hill, today and tomorrow
Today (16 July): Air quality in Chapel Hill 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: 54.3/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Chapel Hill is medium. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 10:00 AM (O3: 59.2/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
For long term forecasts and maps, see the Airmine app
Developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team
Use our Strava plugin to check your own exposure.
Chapel Hill's air quality benefits from the Research Triangle's relatively clean technology and academic economic base, with vehicle emissions from I-40 and the University of North Carolina campus the primary local sources in this major North Carolina university town. The gentle Piedmont terrain and the extensive university and wooded campus green space provide reasonable dispersal, while summer ozone from the broader southeastern US regional airshed is the primary warm-season concern throughout the year.
Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 09:00
AQI:
Medium
54.3/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
18.2/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
8.8/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
16.2/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
54.3/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
2.7/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
4.8/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
17.8/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 10:00
AQI:
Medium
59.2/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
16.7/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
6.3/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
14.8/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
59.2/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
2.8/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
5.7/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
16.9/100
Pollen forecast in Chapel Hill
View pollen forecastFrequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Chapel Hill right now?
On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Chapel Hill is medium. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 54.3/100. Pollution peaks around 9:00 AM (O3: 54.3/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Chapel Hill?
On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Chapel Hill will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at medium at 59.2/100. Pollution peaks around 10:00 AM (O3: 59.2/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Chapel Hill?
Chapel Hill's air quality follows a clear seasonal pattern. In short, winter is typically the cleanest season, with mild temperatures and fewer stagnant air episodes, whereas summer heat combined with the region's dense forest cover drives an extended ozone season. Prescribed burns are more common in the cooler months and can add brief smoke episodes.
Are air quality levels in Chapel Hill 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?
Check air quality in other popular cities:
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