This reference covers August 2022–February 2026. The data originate from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) global model, provided through Open-Meteo. They describe a broad Dubai-area model grid cell, not readings from a monitoring station at each school.
The retained source contains 12 calendar-month aggregates. Its underlying daily records and exact sample counts are not included, so we cannot independently reproduce the original aggregation. The values below remain the historical reference; the October 2026 review did not extend the data period.
Monthly averages across the reference period
| Month | PM2.5 | PM10 | Dust | Mean US AQI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29.6 | 57.1 | 38.7 | 88 |
| Feb | 36.9 | 77.4 | 63 | 105 |
| Mar | 38.9 | 83.6 | 72.1 | 109 |
| Apr | 39.3 | 83.8 | 70.1 | 113 |
| May | 38.2 | 82.8 | 73.1 | 114 |
| Jun | 42.7 | 107 | 115.9 | 127 |
| Jul | 57.3 | 170.8 | 228.2 | 152 |
| Aug | 57.6 | 158.3 | 196.7 | 149 |
| Sep | 45.5 | 123.1 | 141.2 | 125 |
| Oct | 39.3 | 80.6 | 57.6 | 111 |
| Nov | 33.1 | 58.9 | 33.4 | 96 |
| Dec | 32.6 | 61.1 | 38.1 | 95 |
PM2.5, PM10 and dust concentrations are in µg/m³. A mean AQI summarises the period; it does not tell you how many days were in an alert category or whether outdoor activity is suitable today.
The highest calendar-month PM2.5 averages in this reference are Aug (57.6 µg/m³) and Jul (57.3 µg/m³). The lowest is Jan (29.6 µg/m³). The unweighted mean of the 12 published monthly PM2.5 averages is 40.9 µg/m³.
What the model can and cannot show
The CAMS global model has an approximate 45 km grid. Open-Meteo returns hourly API values from an underlying model with a three-hourly time step. These estimates can support a broad seasonal comparison, but cannot resolve a school’s playground, classroom filtration, nearby construction or roadside exposure.
These are archived model estimates, not measurements of the air a child actually breathed. Model versions and AQI calculations can change over time. The retained reference should not be interpreted as a precise long-term trend or an explanation of the causes of each month’s pollution.
Use current local air-quality information and the school’s guidance when making decisions about outdoor activity. Historical monthly averages cannot establish that a particular day is safe.
Questions to ask a school
- Which current air-quality information informs outdoor activity decisions?
- What conditions trigger moving PE, breaks or sports indoors?
- How are classroom ventilation and filters maintained?
- How does the school implement an agreed care plan for a child with a respiratory condition?
Sources and method
- Open-Meteo Air Quality API: model resolution, variables, units and hourly output.
- Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service global atmospheric composition forecasts: primary model source.
- Download the published monthly reference. The original aggregation was obtained via the Kaggle Dubai air-quality dataset.
- Open-Meteo data are published under CC BY 4.0. The values here are aggregated from source model output. Neither CAMS nor Open-Meteo endorses this interpretation.