Worst air pollution Outer Banks, today and tomorrow

On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Outer Banks is poor. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 66.4/100. Pollution peaks around 9:00 AM (O3: 66.4/100).

On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Outer Banks will be better than today, with AQI forecast at medium at 50.9/100. Pollution peaks around 10:00 AM (O3: 50.9/100).

Outer Banks's air quality has a clear seasonal rhythm. Typically, winter is typically the cleanest season, with mild temperatures and fewer stagnant air episodes, while summer heat, humidity, and emissions from surrounding forests combine to drive ozone levels up. Prescribed burns are more common in the cooler months and can add brief smoke episodes.

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.

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.