Kensington parkrun - Pollen and Air Quality Forecast for Today
Pollen Today
Pollen levels are low to moderate today, with grass and ragweed as the main active species. Based on Airmine's forecast, which uses satellite data to calculate exposure every 200 metres along the route, pollen exposure peaks at 0.4 km after start.
Air Quality Today
Air quality along the route is good, with all pollutants at low levels. Based on Airmine's forecast, which uses satellite data to calculate exposure every 200 metres along the route, air quality is at its worst 0.0 km after start.
Route Map
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Environmental Exposure Detail
Kensington parkrun is a free, weekly, timed 5 km run open to all abilities near Washington. Run weekly by local volunteers, it's open to first-timers and experienced runners alike, with no time limit. It passes through parkland, mixing trees, shrubs and open grass along the way.
Kensington parkrun runs through Kensington Parklands and the Rock Creek corridor in the suburban Maryland Washington DC area, with oak, maple, and tulip poplar as the main tree pollen sources. Rock Creek contributes locally significant riparian pollen, while surrounding Maryland suburban woodland contributes substantial tree and grass pollen and mugwort extends exposure into September throughout this classic Maryland suburban park setting.
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Forecast for 10 October
Pollen Forecast
| Pollen species | Level | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Alder (Alnus) | None | 0/100 |
| Birch (Betula) | None | 0/100 |
| Hazel (Corylus) | None | 0/100 |
| Cypress (Cupressaceae) | None | 0/100 |
| Grass (Poaceae) | Moderate | 26/100 |
| Oak (Quercus) | None | 0/100 |
| Willow (Salicaceae) | None | 0/100 |
| Mugwort (Artemisia) | None | 0/100 |
| Ragweed (Ambrosia) | Low | 23/100 |
Air Quality Forecast
| Pollutant | Level | Value |
|---|---|---|
| AQI | Good | 19.1/100 |
| PM2.5 (fine particles) | Good | 10.1/100 |
| PM10 (coarse particles) | Good | 7.0/100 |
| NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) | Good | 6.3/100 |
| O3 (ozone) | Good | 19.1/100 |
| SO2 (sulfur dioxide) | Good | 0.7/100 |
| CO (carbon monoxide) | Good | 0.5/100 |
| HCHO (formaldehyde) | Good | 1.5/100 |
| PM1 (ultrafine particles) | Good | 1.8/100 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is air quality worst on the Kensington parkrun route?
Based on today's forecast, O3 is forecast at good levels along the route today (19.1/100). Air quality is at its worst after 0.0 km into the route. Airmine calculates exposure at 200m intervals along the course using satellite-derived atmospheric data.
Where is pollen highest on the Kensington parkrun course?
Pollen exposure peaks at km 0.4 today. This changes through the season as different pollen species become active.
When is pollen worst during the Kensington parkrun season?
Pollen seasons vary by location. Tree pollen (birch, alder) typically peaks in spring, while grass pollen rises in May-June.
How often is this forecast updated?
Updated four times daily. See the timestamp below for the most recent update.
Are pollen levels in Kensington parkrun based on measurements or forecasts?
Pollen data is often misunderstood. Most "pollen levels" are not real-time measurements, but forecasts.
Direct pollen measurements are typically delayed by 1-2 days because they require manual analysis. To show current conditions in Kensington parkrun, modern forecasts combine recent measurements, weather data, and information about local vegetation.
This allows us to estimate pollen levels for today and the coming days, not just report the past.
Airmine’s atmospheric monitoring platform was developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team, using satellite and Earth observation technologies to improve emissions monitoring.
Understanding the Scale
The 0–100 scores represent risk levels, not direct measurements of pollen or air pollutant concentrations. Higher scores indicate higher risk. Pollen and air quality use different thresholds.
Pollen
| None | 0 | No or negligible risk of exposure. Pollen/mold exposure is expected to be minimal. |
| Low | 0-25 | Low risk of exposure. Small amounts of pollen or mold spores may be present. |
| Moderate | 25-50 | Moderate risk of exposure. Pollen/mold exposure is expected to be noticeable. |
| High | 50-75 | High risk of exposure. Elevated pollen/mold exposure is expected. |
| Very High | 75-100 | Very high risk of exposure. Pollen/mold exposure is expected to be at or near its highest levels. |
Air Quality
| Good | 0-20 | Low air quality risk. Air quality is expected to be good, with low levels of pollution. |
| Fair | 20-40 | Generally low air quality risk. Air quality is expected to be acceptable, with some pollution present. |
| Moderate | 40-60 | Moderate air quality risk. Air pollution is elevated and air quality may be less favorable. |
| Poor | 60-80 | High air quality risk. Air pollution is high and air quality is expected to be poor. |
| Very Poor | 80-100 | Very high air quality risk. Air pollution is very high and air quality is expected to be very poor. |