Worst air pollution Durham, today and tomorrow
Today (9 August): Air quality in Durham is medium. AQI and O3 are medium; PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 8:00 AM (O3: 42.1/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Durham is fair. AQI worsens to fair; O3 increases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 11:00 AM (O3: 36.4/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
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Durham's air quality in North Carolina reflects the Research Triangle's relatively clean technology-focused economic base, with vehicle emissions from I-40 and US-15 the primary local source. The surrounding gentle Piedmont terrain provides reasonable wind dispersal, and Durham's university research character limits heavy industrial emissions compared to comparable US cities, while summer regional ozone from the broader southeastern US airshed remains the primary warm-season concern.
Today - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 08:00
AQI:
Medium
42.1/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
18.8/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
6.8/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
15.0/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
42.1/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
5.4/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
4.3/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
18.1/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 11:00
AQI:
Fair
36.4/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
19.1/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
7.0/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
10.8/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
36.4/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
4.6/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
2.9/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
15.4/100
Pollen forecast in Durham
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Durham right now?
On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Durham is medium. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 42.1/100. Pollution peaks around 8:00 AM (O3: 42.1/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Durham?
On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Durham will be worse than today, with AQI forecast at fair at 36.4/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 AM (O3: 36.4/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Durham?
Air quality in Durham shifts across the year. In short, the cleanest conditions usually arrive in winter, once the humid summer ozone season has ended, whereas summer heat combined with the region's dense forest cover drives an extended ozone season. Occasional agricultural or prescribed-burning smoke can add short-lived particulate spikes outside the main summer ozone season.
Are air quality levels in Durham 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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