Worst air pollution Steamboat Springs, today and tomorrow

On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Steamboat Springs is very poor. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 83.5/100. Pollution peaks around 10:00 PM (NO2: 83.5/100).

On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Steamboat Springs will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at very poor at 94.3/100. Pollution peaks around 10:00 PM (NO2: 94.3/100).

Steamboat Springs's air quality follows a clear seasonal pattern — the shoulder seasons of spring and fall typically offer the most stable, cleanest conditions, whereas wildfire smoke drifting in from across the region is the main summer concern, while winter inversions can trap pollution locally. Valley and basin locations are especially prone to these winter inversion episodes compared to more exposed, higher terrain.

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.

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.