Is the air quality good in Madrid?
As of August 18, 2025, 8:28 AM PT, Madrid faces poor air quality. The AQI is classified as "moderate," but is forecast to reach "unhealthy for sensitive groups" range today. This level can exacerbate respiratory issues, heart conditions, and other health problems, particularly for children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing ailments.
Health recommendations include avoiding outdoor activities, sealing windows against polluted air, wearing masks when outside, and using air purifiers to reduce indoor exposure.
As air quality is dynamic and like the weather can frequently change.
Click here for a real-time air quality map of Madrid.
While the air quality conditions on August 18 are unusually poor, it is important to keep in mind that the average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 for Madrid was 8.1 µg/m3. This corresponds to an AQI of 45, which falls into the “good” category and was 1.7 times the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m.
Madrid, Spain ranked as the sixth most polluted major city on August 18, 8:28 AM PT. Source: IQAir.
Why is there an air quality alert in Madrid?
The air quality alert in Madrid stems from unusually high PM2.5 levels, which penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, heightening risks of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The city has also experienced elevated ozone from heat and PM10 from dust and sand.
Hourly air quality forecast for Madrid, Spain, August 18, 8:28 AM PT. Source: IQAir
Air quality map of Madrid, Spain on August 18, 8:28 AM PT. Source: IQAir.
What is causing poor air quality in Madrid?
Madrid is frequently impacted by Saharan dust in the summer, and there is a plume of dust in the region on the morning of August 18 (1).
Additionally, there are numerous high-intensity, large-scale fires in northwestern Spain and northern Portugal. Smoke from these fires is affecting air quality across that region and central Spain, where numerous cities are experiencing air quality in the "unhealthy" and even "very unhealthy" ranges.
Southern and central Spain is experiencing high temperatures, which can also lead to elevated levels of surface ozone.
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How can I protect myself from poor air quality?
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
- Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
- Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.
