Worst air pollution Exploratorium - San Francisco, today and tomorrow

Today (15 July): Air quality in Exploratorium is fair. AQI and O3 are fair; PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 9:00 AM (O3: 37.9/100).
Tomorrow (16 July 2026): Air quality in Exploratorium is medium. AQI improves to medium; O3 decreases to medium; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 10:00 AM (O3: 40.2/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.

For long term forecasts and maps, see the Airmine app

Developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team

Use our Strava plugin to check your own exposure.

San Francisco's Exploratorium air quality benefits from its exceptional Pier 15 direct San Francisco Bay and Golden Gate position, with the Bay's consistent tidal Delta breezes providing outstanding maritime ventilation around this interactive science museum on the Embarcadero waterfront. Vehicle traffic on the Embarcadero contributes modest local sources, while the bay's extraordinary open water ventilation and the consistent maritime airflows generally maintain the Exploratorium among San Francisco's more reliably ventilated cultural institutions throughout most of the year.

Today - 15 July | Pollution peaks at 09:00

AQI:

Fair

37.9/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Good

12.5/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

7.9/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Good

4.6/100

O3 (ozone):

Fair

37.9/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Good

1.5/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Good

1.8/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Good

6.7/100

Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day

Tomorrow - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 10:00

AQI:

Medium

40.2/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Good

18.8/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

9.0/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Good

10.2/100

O3 (ozone):

Medium

40.2/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Good

1.5/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Good

1.7/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Good

12.5/100

Other Landmarks in San Francisco

Sports venues in San Francisco

Frequently Asked Questions

Is air quality bad in Exploratorium right now?

On 15 July 2026, overall air quality in Exploratorium is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 37.9/100. Pollution peaks around 9:00 AM (O3: 37.9/100).

Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Exploratorium?

On 16 July 2026, air quality conditions in Exploratorium will be better than today, with AQI forecast at medium at 40.2/100. Pollution peaks around 10:00 AM (O3: 40.2/100).

When is air pollution at its worst in Exploratorium?

Exploratorium's air quality follows a clear seasonal pattern. Typically, winter storms periodically reset air quality, keeping the cleanest stretch to the rainy months, while heat and dryness combine from July onward to raise both ozone and smoke risk. Wine country and inland valley locations tend to see more smoke buildup than the immediate coast.

Are air quality levels in Exploratorium 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.

Want to see air quality forecasts for other cities in United States?

Check air quality in other popular cities:

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