Worst air pollution Rochester, today and tomorrow

Today (9 August): Air quality in Rochester is fair. AQI and O3 are fair; PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 8:00 AM (O3: 34.6/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Rochester is fair. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 11:00 AM (O3: 31.1/100). 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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Rochester's air quality in New York benefits from Lake Ontario's consistent lake winds providing natural ventilation along the southern shore, with the primary concerns being vehicle emissions from I-490 and the legacy of Eastman Kodak and Xerox industrial emissions from the Genesee River valley. Winter lake-effect snow events effectively wash particulates from the atmosphere, while summer Great Lakes ozone periodically elevates readings.

Today - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 08:00

AQI:

Fair

34.6/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Good

4.9/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

2.0/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Good

8.8/100

O3 (ozone):

Fair

34.6/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Good

0.8/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Good

6.0/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Good

5.9/100

Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day

Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 11:00

AQI:

Fair

31.1/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Good

6.8/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

3.4/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Good

13.5/100

O3 (ozone):

Fair

31.1/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Good

0.8/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Good

6.5/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Good

5.9/100

Pollen forecast in Rochester

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Air quality forecasts for neighbourhoods and landmarks in Rochester

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is air quality bad in Rochester right now?

On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Rochester is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 34.6/100. Pollution peaks around 8:00 AM (O3: 34.6/100).

Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Rochester?

On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Rochester will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 31.1/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 AM (O3: 31.1/100).

When is air pollution at its worst in Rochester?

Air quality across Rochester rises and falls with the seasons. Typically, the cleanest conditions typically arrive with the more unsettled weather of spring and autumn, while 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 Rochester 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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