Worst air pollution Empire State Building - New York, today and tomorrow
Today (16 July): Air quality in Empire State Building 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: 37.6/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Empire State Building is medium. AQI improves to medium; O3 decreases to medium; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 12:00 PM (O3: 40.4/100). 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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New York's Empire State Building air quality reflects Midtown Manhattan's dense commercial canyon position, with vehicle traffic on 5th Avenue and 34th Street and the extraordinary concentration of taxis, buses, and delivery vehicles generating sustained NO₂. The enclosed skyscraper canyon geometry limits dispersal, while the Hudson River and East River provide limited background ventilation and the Empire State Building generally maintains consistently elevated Midtown Manhattan readings throughout most of the year.
Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 12:00
AQI:
Fair
37.6/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
10.1/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
10.2/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
3.8/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
37.6/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
0.8/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
6.1/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
5.5/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 12:00
AQI:
Medium
40.4/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
6.8/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
3.3/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
6.6/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
40.4/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
0.7/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
5.9/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
4.3/100
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Empire State Building right now?
On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Empire State Building is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 37.6/100. Pollution peaks around 12:00 PM (O3: 37.6/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Empire State Building?
On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Empire State Building will be better than today, with AQI forecast at medium at 40.4/100. Pollution peaks around 12:00 PM (O3: 40.4/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Empire State Building?
Like the rest of New York, Empire State Building sees air quality change through the year — frequent frontal systems in spring and fall usually keep the air cleanest then, whereas the combination of local heat and imported regional haze peaks during summer. Winter cold fronts tend to clear the air quickly, so extended pollution episodes are relatively uncommon.
Are air quality levels in Empire State Building 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?
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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