Worst air pollution Durham, today and tomorrow
Today (16 July): Air quality in Durham is fair. PM2.5, NO2, and PM1 are fair; AQI and O3 are medium; PM10, SO2, CO, and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 9:00 AM (O3: 54.3/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Durham is fair. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 10:00 AM (O3: 59.2/100). 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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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 - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 09:00
AQI:
Medium
54.3/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
21.8/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
10.7/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
32.5/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
54.3/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
6.1/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
4.8/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
21.1/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 10:00
AQI:
Medium
59.2/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
20.2/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
7.6/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
30.1/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
59.2/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
6.3/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
5.7/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
20.3/100
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Durham right now?
On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Durham is fair. NO2 is the main pollutant at 32.5/100. Pollution peaks around 9:00 AM (O3: 54.3/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Durham?
On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Durham will be similar to today, with NO2 forecast at fair at 30.1/100. Pollution peaks around 10:00 AM (O3: 59.2/100).
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.
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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