Worst air pollution Raleigh, today and tomorrow
Today (16 July): Air quality in Raleigh 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 Raleigh is fair. PM2.5 decreases to good; PM1 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.
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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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Raleigh's air quality is generally moderate, shaped by the flat North Carolina Piedmont terrain providing reasonable wind dispersal and the Research Triangle's relatively clean technology-focused economic base generating lower industrial emissions than comparable US cities. Summer ozone from vehicle emissions and upwind sources across the broader southeastern US is the primary warm-season concern.
Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 09:00
AQI:
Medium
54.3/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
20.4/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
9.9/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
26.1/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
54.3/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
4.7/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
4.8/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
20.0/100
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
18.8/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
7.0/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Fair
24.3/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
59.2/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
4.8/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
5.7/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
19.0/100
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Raleigh right now?
On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Raleigh is fair. NO2 is the main pollutant at 26.1/100. Pollution peaks around 9:00 AM (O3: 54.3/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Raleigh?
On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Raleigh will be similar to today, with NO2 forecast at fair at 24.3/100. Pollution peaks around 10:00 AM (O3: 59.2/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Raleigh?
Raleigh sees air quality change through the year. In short, winter is typically the cleanest season, with mild temperatures and fewer stagnant air episodes, whereas 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 Raleigh 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