Worst air pollution Ridgecrest, today and tomorrow
Today (30 August): Air quality in Ridgecrest is very poor. AQI and NO2 are very poor; PM2.5, SO2, and PM1 are moderate; PM10 and O3 are fair; CO and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 4:00 PM (NO2: 100/100).
Tomorrow (31 August 2026): Air quality in Ridgecrest is very poor. O3 increases to moderate; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 5:00 PM (NO2: 100/100). 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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Ridgecrest's air quality is shaped largely by dry Mojave Desert air; windy days can raise dust across the surrounding basin. Overall, Ridgecrest sees air quality that tracks fairly closely with typical conditions for its wider region. Checking current readings is still the best way to plan outdoor activity around Ridgecrest.
Today - 30 August | Pollution peaks at 16:00
AQI:
Very poor
100/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Moderate
44.6/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Fair
34.0/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Very poor
100/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
36.4/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Moderate
42.7/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
7.0/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Moderate
42.3/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 31 August | Pollution peaks at 17:00
AQI:
Very poor
100/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Moderate
47.2/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Fair
32.3/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Very poor
100/100
O3 (ozone):
Moderate
40.0/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Moderate
40.7/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
7.1/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Moderate
45.3/100
Pollen forecast in Ridgecrest
View pollen forecastAir quality forecasts for neighbourhoods and landmarks in Ridgecrest
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Ridgecrest right now?
On 30 August 2026, overall air quality in Ridgecrest is very poor. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 100/100. Pollution peaks around 4:00 PM (NO2: 100/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Ridgecrest?
On 31 August 2026, air quality conditions in Ridgecrest will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at very poor at 100/100. Pollution peaks around 5:00 PM (NO2: 100/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Ridgecrest?
Like most US cities, Ridgecrest sees air quality shift from season to season. Typically, the shortest stretch of clean air usually falls in the wetter winter months, while summer sunshine and heat drive some of the worst ozone readings in the country. The mountains ringing the basin can trap pollution close to the ground for days when winds are calm.
Are air quality levels in Ridgecrest 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: 30 August 2026 at 14:32 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.
Some text on this page may be generated or summarised using artificial intelligence (AI). Wherever possible, AI-generated content is enriched with Airmine's proprietary data to improve its accuracy and relevance. However, AI-generated content may still contain errors, omissions, or inaccuracies.
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