Worst air pollution Columbia, today and tomorrow
Today (9 August): Air quality in Columbia is fair. AQI and O3 are fair; PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 12:00 PM (O3: 35.2/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Columbia is fair. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 8:00 AM (O3: 35.7/100). 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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Columbia's air quality reflects its position in the Howard County Piedmont between Baltimore and Washington DC, with vehicle emissions from I-95 and US-29 and the dense planned community development contributing local sources. The broader Baltimore-Washington mid-Atlantic metropolitan airshed contributes elevated summer ozone from both cities' combined traffic, while the gentle Maryland Piedmont provides reasonable wind dispersal and Columbia's planned green space network provides better natural ventilation than comparable suburban communities of similar density.
Today - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 12:00
AQI:
Fair
35.2/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
9.9/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
3.8/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
4.1/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
35.2/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
1.2/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
1.7/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
6.9/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 08:00
AQI:
Fair
35.7/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
9.2/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
3.8/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
3.1/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
35.7/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
1.2/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
2.0/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
6.4/100
Pollen forecast in Columbia
View pollen forecastAir quality forecasts for neighbourhoods and landmarks in Columbia
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Columbia right now?
On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Columbia is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 35.2/100. Pollution peaks around 12:00 PM (O3: 35.2/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Columbia?
On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Columbia will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 35.7/100. Pollution peaks around 8:00 AM (O3: 35.7/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Columbia?
Air quality in Columbia shifts across the year — winter generally brings the cleanest air, once the summer ozone season has passed, whereas the hottest, most humid summer weeks bring the year's highest ozone readings. Suburban and rural areas generally see less of the persistent traffic-driven pollution that affects the urban core.
Are air quality levels in Columbia 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: 10 August 2026 at 02:34 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.
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