Worst air pollution Decatur, today and tomorrow

Today (16 July): Air quality in Decatur is fair. PM2.5 and O3 are fair; AQI and PM10 are medium; NO2, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 7:00 AM (PM10: 41.0/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Decatur is fair. AQI worsens to fair; PM10 increases to fair; NO2 increases to fair; PM1 increases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 10:00 AM (PM10: 31.8/100). 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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Decatur's air quality reflects the Tennessee River valley's position in north Alabama, with vehicle emissions from I-65 and the surrounding chemical and steel manufacturing corridor — including significant Nucor and 3M operations — contributing industrial PM2.5 alongside primary vehicle sources. The Tennessee Valley's tendency to trap emissions under inversions between the Appalachian foothills affects the broader region, while summer ozone from industrial and vehicle sources is the primary warm-season concern.

Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 07:00

AQI:

Medium

41.0/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Fair

27.6/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Medium

41.0/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Good

7.9/100

O3 (ozone):

Fair

30.3/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Good

12.5/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Good

1.4/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Good

7.9/100

Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day

Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 10:00

AQI:

Fair

31.8/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Fair

25.8/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Fair

31.8/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Fair

29.1/100

O3 (ozone):

Fair

29.0/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Good

6.4/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Good

2.5/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Fair

21.5/100

Pollen forecast in Decatur

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is air quality bad in Decatur right now?

On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Decatur is fair. O3 is the main pollutant at 30.3/100. Pollution peaks around 7:00 AM (PM10: 41.0/100).

Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Decatur?

On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Decatur will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 31.8/100. Pollution peaks around 10:00 AM (PM10: 31.8/100).

When is air pollution at its worst in Decatur?

Air quality across Decatur rises and falls with the seasons. In short, winter is typically the cleanest season, with mild temperatures and fewer stagnant air episodes, whereas hot, humid summer days bring the highest ozone risk, amplified by natural emissions from the dense surrounding forests. Prescribed burns are more common in the cooler months and can add brief smoke episodes.

Are air quality levels in Decatur 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.

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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