Worst air pollution Des Plaines, today and tomorrow
Today (16 July): Air quality in Des Plaines 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: 36.0/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Des Plaines is fair. NO2 increases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 12:00 PM (O3: 37.9/100). 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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Des Plaines' air quality reflects its position adjacent to O'Hare Airport in Cook County Illinois, with concentrated aviation and ground vehicle emissions generating elevated NOₓ and ultrafine particles alongside vehicle traffic on I-90. The flat Illinois prairie allows reasonable dispersal, while the airport's approach corridors and the dense freight and logistics operations make Des Plaines one of the Chicago area's most aviation-influenced suburban communities and the broader metropolitan ozone burden affects summer readings throughout the year.
Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 12:00
AQI:
Fair
36.0/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
13.6/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
14.6/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
19.0/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
36.0/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
1.6/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
6.1/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
6.3/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 12:00
AQI:
Fair
37.9/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
9.9/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
6.0/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
26.0/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
37.9/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
1.2/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
8.3/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
6.5/100
Pollen forecast in Des Plaines
View pollen forecastFrequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Des Plaines right now?
On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Des Plaines is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 36.0/100. Pollution peaks around 12:00 PM (O3: 36.0/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Des Plaines?
On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Des Plaines will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 37.9/100. Pollution peaks around 12:00 PM (O3: 37.9/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Des Plaines?
Des Plaines's air quality follows a clear seasonal pattern — the cleanest stretches usually come in spring and fall, between the summer ozone season and the calmer winter pollution episodes, whereas summer heat waves are the main driver of poor air quality, as ozone builds under stagnant, humid conditions. Calm, cold winter spells can occasionally allow local pollution to build up before the next weather system clears it.
Are air quality levels in Des Plaines 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