Air quality improves in Sarajevo

(Patria) - Based on today's measurements by the Institute for Public Health of the Sarajevo Canton and the average at 8:00 AM, conducted at the locations of automatic reference stations for air quality measurement in the Sarajevo Canton, the Air Quality Index mostly indicates good to moderate air quality, depending on the measurement location.

At the Vijećnica and Bjelave measurement sites, good air quality was recorded, while at the locations of Saraj Polje, Ilidža, Vogošća, Ilijaš and Hadžići, moderate air quality was recorded. At the Otoka measurement site, polluted air quality was recorded.

Compared to previous days, current measurements indicate a significant improvement in air quality at most measurement sites. This improvement occurred due to changes in meteorological conditions and the strengthening of air currents in the Sarajevo basin, which was not entirely expected according to available meteorological models, and resulted in more efficient ventilation of the basin and a pronounced drop in concentrations of pollutants, predominantly suspended particles PM2.5 and PM10.

According to the weather forecast for January 19, 2026, fog is expected in the Sarajevo Canton in the morning, while partly clear weather is forecast for the second half of the day. The maximum daily temperature will be around 1°C, with a light wind from the east and southeast, at a speed of 1 to 3 m/s. In the morning hours, as well as during the night into Tuesday, conditions are expected for the occurrence of a temperature inversion, which may again adversely affect air quality.

Health recommendations:

Recommendation for the sensitive population (children, pregnant women, the elderly and chronically ill) in locations where the air is indexed as moderate to reduce, and where it is polluted - to avoid intense outdoor activities.