Worst air pollution Washington, today and tomorrow
Today (9 August): Air quality in Washington is fair. AQI and O3 are fair; PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 12:00 PM (O3: 32.4/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Washington is fair. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 9:00 AM (O3: 36.0/100). 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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Washington's air quality reflects the mid-Atlantic regional pollution burden, with vehicle emissions from the extensive beltway corridor combining with upwind industrial sources to elevate ozone and PM2.5 during summer. The Potomac and Anacostia river corridors provide natural ventilation pathways, while the National Mall's open geometry improves central city dispersal.
Today - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 12:00
AQI:
Fair
32.4/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
11.7/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
4.3/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
12.2/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
32.4/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
3.2/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
4.4/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
8.3/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 09:00
AQI:
Fair
36.0/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
10.6/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
4.3/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
5.6/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
36.0/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
2.8/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
3.3/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
6.8/100
Pollen forecast in Washington
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Washington right now?
On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Washington is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 32.4/100. Pollution peaks around 12:00 PM (O3: 32.4/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Washington?
On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Washington will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 36.0/100. Pollution peaks around 9:00 AM (O3: 36.0/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Washington?
Washington follows a fairly predictable seasonal air quality pattern: once summer ozone season ends, winter typically offers the cleanest air, but summer heat waves bring the highest ozone risk, compounded by pollution drifting in from the wider region. Dense urban traffic corridors add a persistent background level of pollution that varies less by season than ozone does.
Are air quality levels in Washington 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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