Worst air pollution 360 Chicago Observatory - Chicago, today and tomorrow
Today (18 July): Air quality in 360 Chicago Observatory is fair. AQI and O3 are fair; PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 8:00 AM (O3: 37.7/100).
Tomorrow (19 July 2026): Air quality in 360 Chicago Observatory is fair. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 10:00 AM (O3: 37.3/100). 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
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Chicago's 360 Chicago Observatory air quality reflects the Magnificent Mile's dense commercial canyon position, with vehicle traffic on Michigan Avenue and the surrounding urban density generating sustained NO₂ at street level. The 360 Chicago Observatory's 100th-floor position places visitors well above the urban boundary layer in generally excellent upper-atmosphere conditions, while the street-level Michigan Avenue maintains consistently elevated inner Chicago commercial corridor readings throughout most of the year.
Today - 18 July | Pollution peaks at 08:00
AQI:
Fair
37.7/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
12.1/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
7.4/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
15.2/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
37.7/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
0.9/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
7.3/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
8.2/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 19 July | Pollution peaks at 10:00
AQI:
Fair
37.3/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
13.0/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
8.9/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
8.5/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
37.3/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
0.8/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
5.7/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
8.0/100
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in 360 Chicago Observatory right now?
On 18 July 2026, overall air quality in 360 Chicago Observatory is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 37.7/100. Pollution peaks around 8:00 AM (O3: 37.7/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in 360 Chicago Observatory?
On 19 July 2026, air quality conditions in 360 Chicago Observatory will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 37.3/100. Pollution peaks around 10:00 AM (O3: 37.3/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in 360 Chicago Observatory?
Conditions at 360 Chicago Observatory vary noticeably across the seasons — the cleanest stretches usually come in spring and fall, between the summer ozone season and the calmer winter pollution episodes, whereas hot, humid summer conditions drive ozone formation, especially during heat waves. Lake-effect winds can help clear the air on many days near the Great Lakes shoreline.
Are air quality levels in 360 Chicago Observatory 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: 18 July 2026 at 21:30 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