Worst air pollution Raleigh, today and tomorrow
Today (9 August): Air quality in Raleigh is medium. AQI and O3 are medium; PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 8:00 AM (O3: 42.1/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Raleigh is fair. AQI worsens to fair; O3 increases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 11:00 AM (O3: 36.4/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
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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 - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 08:00
AQI:
Medium
42.1/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
17.4/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
6.3/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
11.4/100
O3 (ozone):
Medium
42.1/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
4.2/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
4.3/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
16.7/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 11:00
AQI:
Fair
36.4/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
17.7/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
6.5/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
8.3/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
36.4/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
3.5/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
2.9/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
14.3/100
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Raleigh right now?
On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Raleigh is medium. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 42.1/100. Pollution peaks around 8:00 AM (O3: 42.1/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Raleigh?
On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Raleigh will be worse than today, with AQI forecast at fair at 36.4/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 AM (O3: 36.4/100).
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.
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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