Worst air pollution Empire State Building - New York, today and tomorrow
Today (9 August): 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 11:00 AM (O3: 38.1/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Empire State Building is fair. PM1 increases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 11:00 AM (O3: 36.1/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
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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 - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 11:00
AQI:
Fair
38.1/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
13.3/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
3.7/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
6.9/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
38.1/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
0.7/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
5.9/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
17.9/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 11:00
AQI:
Fair
36.1/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
17.4/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
6.0/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
7.7/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
36.1/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
0.7/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
6.3/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
21.7/100
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Empire State Building right now?
On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Empire State Building is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 38.1/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 AM (O3: 38.1/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Empire State Building?
On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Empire State Building will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 36.1/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 AM (O3: 36.1/100).
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.
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: 9 August 2026 at 20:27 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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