Worst air pollution San Rafael, today and tomorrow
Today (9 August): Air quality in San Rafael is fair. AQI and O3 are fair; PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 6:00 AM (O3: 32.2/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in San Rafael is fair. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 5:00 AM (O3: 37.0/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
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San Rafael's air quality benefits from the Marin County coastal position north of San Francisco Bay, with consistent Bay Delta breezes and Pacific marine layer conditions providing reliable maritime ventilation across this affluent North Bay community. Vehicle emissions from US-101 are the primary local source, while the bay's open geometry provides good ventilation and summer wildfire smoke from the surrounding Marin County hills is an increasingly frequent and severe seasonal concern throughout the year.
Today - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 06:00
AQI:
Fair
32.2/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
13.8/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
5.2/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
5.3/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
32.2/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
2.1/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
2.1/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
9.4/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 05:00
AQI:
Fair
37.0/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
11.1/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
4.9/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
3.1/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
37.0/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
2.0/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
2.0/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
7.5/100
Pollen forecast in San Rafael
View pollen forecastFrequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in San Rafael right now?
On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in San Rafael is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 32.2/100. Pollution peaks around 6:00 AM (O3: 32.2/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in San Rafael?
On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in San Rafael will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 37.0/100. Pollution peaks around 5:00 AM (O3: 37.0/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in San Rafael?
San Rafael's air quality follows a clear seasonal pattern, as winter typically brings the cleanest stretch, once occasional rain clears the basin; by contrast, from August into October, wildfire smoke can add sharp particulate spikes on top of the usual summer ozone. The mountains ringing the basin can trap pollution close to the ground for days when winds are calm.
Are air quality levels in San Rafael 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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