Worst air pollution Knoxville, today and tomorrow
Today (16 July): Air quality in Knoxville is fair. PM2.5 and NO2 are fair; AQI and O3 are medium; PM10, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 9:00 AM (O3: 54.3/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Knoxville is fair. PM2.5 decreases to good; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 10:00 AM (O3: 59.2/100). 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
Use our Strava plugin to check your own exposure.
Knoxville's air quality reflects the Tennessee Valley's tendency to trap vehicle and industrial emissions under inversions, with the surrounding Great Smoky Mountains and Cumberland Plateau ridgelines limiting dispersal on calm days. Summer ozone from vehicle emissions and the naturally high biogenic VOC emissions from the surrounding Appalachian forest is the primary warm-season concern, while the valley topography concentrates winter emissions.
Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 09:00
AQI:
Medium
54.3/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
20.2/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
9.8/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
25.3/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
54.3/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
4.5/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
4.8/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
19.8/100
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):
Good
18.6/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
7.0/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
23.5/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
59.2/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
4.6/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
5.7/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
18.8/100
Pollen forecast in Knoxville
View pollen forecastAir quality forecasts for neighbourhoods and landmarks in Knoxville
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Knoxville right now?
On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Knoxville is fair. NO2 is the main pollutant at 25.3/100. Pollution peaks around 9:00 AM (O3: 54.3/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Knoxville?
On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Knoxville will be similar to today, with NO2 forecast at fair at 23.5/100. Pollution peaks around 10:00 AM (O3: 59.2/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Knoxville?
Air quality in Knoxville shifts across the year. Typically, winter is typically the cleanest season, with mild temperatures and fewer stagnant air episodes, while 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 Knoxville 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.
Want to see air quality forecasts for other cities in United States?
Check air quality in other popular cities:
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