London Air Quality Forecast – Current Air Pollution

The latest air quality forecast for London. Pollution and particulate levels updated every hour.

London Air Pollution Summary: Low

Low air pollution forecast valid from Wednesday 7 January to end of Wednesday 7 January GMT.
Some rain overnight into Wednesday, then cloudy with sunny intervals. Continuing to feel very cold with temperatures just a few degrees above zero.

A continuing north westerly air feed from the Arctic, expected to have travelled over Ireland and the UK before arriving. A breeze should ensure dispersion of local emissions.

In the cold conditions we expect to see an increase in emissions from domestic heating, including solid fuel and wood burning, especially later in the evening. An increase in particulate pollution is expected due to increased local emissions in the cold conditions and some imported pollution from other areas of the UK.

Overall, air pollution is expected to remain ‘Low’ for the following pollutants:

Nitrogen Dioxide
Ozone
Sulphur Dioxide
PM10 Particulates
PM2.5 Particulates

Air Quality Pollution Levels

Nitrogen Dioxide Low Ozone Low PM10 Particulate Low PM2.5 Particulate Low Sulphur Dioxide Low

London Air Quality Tomorrow: Low

Low air pollution forecast valid from Thursday 8 January to end of Thursday 8 January GMT.
Generally overcast with some light rain on Thursday. Continuing to feel very cold with temperatures just a few degrees above zero.

A continuing westerly or north westerly air feed from the north Atlantic, expected to have travelled over Ireland and the UK before arriving. Very low wind speeds locally with poor dispersion of any emissions.

In the cold conditions we expect to see an increase in emissions from domestic heating, including solid fuel and wood burning, especially later in the evening. In addition, during very cold and still weather, a condition known as temperature inversion often results in pollution emissions becoming trapped and more concentrated in a colder layer of air closer to the ground. An increase in particulate pollution is expected due to increased local emissions in the cold conditions and some imported pollution from Ireland and other areas of the UK.

Overall, air pollution is expected to remain ‘Low’ for the following pollutants:

Nitrogen Dioxide
Ozone
Sulphur Dioxide
PM10 Particulates
PM2.5 Particulates

Air Quality Pollution Levels: Tomorrow

Nitrogen Dioxide Low Ozone Low PM10 Particulate Low PM2.5 Particulate Low Sulphur Dioxide Low

Air Pollution Banding Value

Low 1-3 At Risk Individuals: Enjoy your usual outdoor activities. General Population: Enjoy your usual outdoor activities. Moderate 4-6 At Risk Individuals: Adults and children with lung problems, and adults with heart problems, who experience symptoms, should consider reducing strenuous physical activity, particularly outdoors. General Population: Enjoy your usual outdoor activities. High 7-9 At Risk Individuals: Adults and children with lung problems, and adults with heart problems, should reduce strenuous physical exertion, particularly outdoors, and particularly if they experience symptoms. People with asthma may find they need to use their reliever inhaler more often. Older people should also reduce physical exertion. General Population: Anyone experiencing discomfort such as sore eyes, cough or sore throat should consider reducing activity, particularly outdoors. Very High 10 At Risk Individuals: Adults and children with lung problems, adults with heart problems, and older people, should avoid strenuous physical activity. People with asthma may find they need to use their reliever inhaler more often. General Population: Reduce physical exertion, particularly outdoors, especially if you experience symptoms such as cough or sore throat.

Air Quality Disclaimer

This London air quality forecast is intended to provide information on expected pollution levels in areas of significant public exposure. It may not apply in very specific locations close to unusually strong or short-lived local sources of pollution. Data supplied by TfL in conjunction with London Air. UK Traffic Delays is a reliable source of updated travel information, obtained under licence from official data providers. London travel information is used under license from TfL: Powered by TfL Open Data. Our website contains public sector travel information licensed under the: Open Government Licence v3.0.
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