SmogRank / Episodes / South Korea

South Korea and Japan, 19 to 21 February 2026

For 3 days, from 19 to 21 February 2026, 51 cities in South Korea and Japan had PM2.5 at least twice their usual for the time of year. The worst reading was Yeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea: 47.8 µg/m³ on 21 February, about 2.2× its usual 22.0.

No cause namedWe have no fire or smoke records for these days, so we only say what the measurements show.
Cities reached51in 2 countries
Days319 to 21 February 2026
Worst day21 February39 cities counted
Furthest above usual3.1×Shimonoseki

Day by day

21 February 39 cities at twice their usual or more
GijangYangsanGyeongjuPohangYeonilMiryangTsushimaGyeongsan-siNaesŏChangnyeongCheongsong gunDaeguIkiHwawŏnNagatoKogaKogaNakamaKunwiMineKitakyushuNōgataHagiItoshimaWakasugiAndongGumiIizukaKaratsuKasugaKandaTagawaYukuhashiUbeYamaguchiMatsuuraOgōriImarichō-kōTosuTakuGimcheonKanzakimachi-kanzakiYecheonMasudaBuzenHōfuSagaTakeoUkihaHigashigōNakatsuSaseboSangjuChikugoUreshinomachi-shimojukuYanagawaKashimaYameMungyeongHamadaShūnanSaikaiŌmutaSantyokuKudamatsuYeongdongGōtsuchōŌmuraAraoTamanaNeietsuIsahayaHikariTogitsuDonghae CityChangsuObitaKikuchiKuryeUekimachi-mōnoKunisakiNagasakiYufuNangenBeppuŌtakeJinan-gunIwakuniYanaiŌzuOkcheonKinzanKumamotoAsoŌdachō-ōdaBeolgyoKotōChungjuKoesanŌitaImsilHiroshimaUtoYaeGionTsurusakiMifuneGangneungŌyanomachi-noboritateDaejeonJungpyongCheongju-siGotōHondomachi-hondoJeonjuWanjuMieHonmachiKureIzumoWŏnjuTsukumiuraSejongNamsaChinch'ŏnYŏnmuHigashihiroshimaMiyoshiNonsanUnnanGwangjuJeongeupGongjuIksanSaikiJangheungKimjeMinamataMasanYawatahamaJangseongTakeharaMatsuePubalHitoyoshiCheonanBuyeoIyoAnseongMatsuyamaIcheon-siNobeokaNajuIzumiBuanSeonghwanYeongamGunsanAsanMiharaYangp'yŏngPyeongtaekSakaiminatoYasugichōUwajimaYesanYeonggwangChuncheonOsanGwangjuYonagoShin’ichiMuanKobayashiSendaiShinagawaHongseongSeongnam-siHanamSuwonMokpoKushikinoShintomiWabuNiimiNamyangjuKirishimaGuri-siNiihamaHwaseong-siMiyazakiTangjinAnyang-siMiyakonojōAnsan-siSeoulTakahashiAsakuchiGwangmyeongSeosanNakamuraUijeongbu-siSinanYangjuBucheon-siShikokuchūōSusakiTaesal-liSōjaIncheonKan’onjichōGoyang-siKurayoshiInoKurashikiGimpo-siMarugameCheorwonZentsujichóKochiOkayamaMunsanIkedachōTsuyamaNankokuTamanoTakinomiyaGanghwa-gunTakamatsuTottori-shiHiragiBizenAkiShidoMimaKariyaYoshinogawaAioiKamojimachō-jōgejimaTatsunoIkarugaTokushimaHimejiNarutochō-mitsuishiToyookaAnanKakogawachō-honmachiHigashinozoeSumotoHaenamBusanDamyangGapyeongYeojuHwasunKoch'angUngsangBoseongGeojeT’aebaekKimhaeUlsanGoseongSinhyeonYangguHwacheonWaegwanBoryeongHwadoSuncheonEisenKwangyangTongyeongYeongjuTanushimarumachi-toyokiMaebaru-chūōGaigeturiJumunjinGwangyangYeosuChangwonHitaHayangFukuyamaJeju CityChinjuHongch’ŏnHadongTakanabeOnomichiHyūgaSaijōSeogwipoOnodaKasaokaFukuokaKosongSokchoImabariShimonoseki
16 Feb1718192021222324
Every measured city in the area, coloured by its PM2.5 that day; a dark ring marks a city at twice its usual or more. Bars: cities counted each day, coloured by their median level. Choose a day or press play; without JavaScript, the days link to that day's world ranking.

How it spread

HitaHita, 16 February: 21.2 µg/m³Hita, 17 February: 10.0 µg/m³Hita, 18 February: 16.4 µg/m³Hita, 19 February: 32.9 µg/m³, 2.3× its usual 14.3Hita, 20 February: 27.5 µg/m³Hita, 21 February: 27.4 µg/m³Hita, 22 February: 22.8 µg/m³Hita, 23 February: 17.3 µg/m³Hita, 24 February: 15.0 µg/m³HyūgaHyūga, 16 February: 17.7 µg/m³Hyūga, 17 February: 10.3 µg/m³Hyūga, 18 February: 6.3 µg/m³Hyūga, 19 February: 25.9 µg/m³, 2.6× its usual 10.0Hyūga, 20 February: 13.0 µg/m³Hyūga, 21 February: 12.4 µg/m³Hyūga, 22 February: 11.5 µg/m³Hyūga, 23 February: 20.0 µg/m³Hyūga, 24 February: 17.3 µg/m³TakanabeTakanabe, 16 February: 16.7 µg/m³Takanabe, 17 February: 11.9 µg/m³Takanabe, 18 February: 6.2 µg/m³Takanabe, 19 February: 25.5 µg/m³, 2.6× its usual 9.8Takanabe, 20 February: 14.1 µg/m³Takanabe, 21 February: 13.0 µg/m³Takanabe, 22 February: 12.8 µg/m³Takanabe, 23 February: 21.6 µg/m³Takanabe, 24 February: 16.6 µg/m³Maebaru-chūōMaebaru-chūō, 16 February: 23.6 µg/m³Maebaru-chūō, 17 February: 8.0 µg/m³Maebaru-chūō, 18 February: no readingMaebaru-chūō, 19 February: 25.2 µg/m³, 2.3× its usual 11.0Maebaru-chūō, 20 February: 25.8 µg/m³, 2.3× its usual 11.0Maebaru-chūō, 21 February: 21.2 µg/m³Maebaru-chūō, 22 February: 11.8 µg/m³Maebaru-chūō, 23 February: 12.4 µg/m³Maebaru-chūō, 24 February: 9.5 µg/m³BoryeongBoryeong, 16 February: 15.0 µg/m³Boryeong, 17 February: 15.8 µg/m³Boryeong, 18 February: 19.9 µg/m³Boryeong, 19 February: 11.9 µg/m³Boryeong, 20 February: 39.7 µg/m³, 2.1× its usual 19.2Boryeong, 21 February: 29.7 µg/m³Boryeong, 22 February: 19.3 µg/m³Boryeong, 23 February: 8.9 µg/m³Boryeong, 24 February: 15.5 µg/m³GapyeongGapyeong, 16 February: 15.0 µg/m³Gapyeong, 17 February: 14.3 µg/m³Gapyeong, 18 February: 26.2 µg/m³Gapyeong, 19 February: 20.5 µg/m³Gapyeong, 20 February: 36.2 µg/m³, 2.0× its usual 18.1Gapyeong, 21 February: 38.6 µg/m³Gapyeong, 22 February: 26.9 µg/m³Gapyeong, 23 February: 9.3 µg/m³Gapyeong, 24 February: 10.7 µg/m³YangguYanggu, 16 February: 12.8 µg/m³Yanggu, 17 February: 10.2 µg/m³Yanggu, 18 February: 25.5 µg/m³Yanggu, 19 February: 19.5 µg/m³Yanggu, 20 February: 36.0 µg/m³, 2.1× its usual 17.1Yanggu, 21 February: 36.0 µg/m³, 2.1× its usual 17.2Yanggu, 22 February: 16.9 µg/m³Yanggu, 23 February: 8.5 µg/m³Yanggu, 24 February: 8.5 µg/m³SokchoSokcho, 16 February: 9.1 µg/m³Sokcho, 17 February: 5.8 µg/m³Sokcho, 18 February: 19.1 µg/m³Sokcho, 19 February: 10.2 µg/m³Sokcho, 20 February: 31.9 µg/m³, 2.8× its usual 11.5Sokcho, 21 February: 33.3 µg/m³, 2.8× its usual 11.9Sokcho, 22 February: 20.5 µg/m³Sokcho, 23 February: 7.3 µg/m³Sokcho, 24 February: 8.9 µg/m³Jeju CityJeju City, 16 February: 11.3 µg/m³Jeju City, 17 February: 10.1 µg/m³Jeju City, 18 February: 25.6 µg/m³Jeju City, 19 February: 7.1 µg/m³Jeju City, 20 February: 30.2 µg/m³, 2.4× its usual 12.5Jeju City, 21 February: 23.0 µg/m³Jeju City, 22 February: 19.0 µg/m³Jeju City, 23 February: 10.3 µg/m³Jeju City, 24 February: 7.0 µg/m³SeogwipoSeogwipo, 16 February: 17.5 µg/m³Seogwipo, 17 February: 6.2 µg/m³Seogwipo, 18 February: 23.6 µg/m³Seogwipo, 19 February: 8.5 µg/m³Seogwipo, 20 February: 29.4 µg/m³, 2.6× its usual 11.5Seogwipo, 21 February: 22.0 µg/m³Seogwipo, 22 February: 28.2 µg/m³Seogwipo, 23 February: 11.6 µg/m³Seogwipo, 24 February: 5.0 µg/m³HaenamHaenam, 16 February: 11.6 µg/m³Haenam, 17 February: 11.3 µg/m³Haenam, 18 February: 20.4 µg/m³Haenam, 19 February: 5.9 µg/m³Haenam, 20 February: 28.9 µg/m³, 2.0× its usual 14.3Haenam, 21 February: 26.2 µg/m³Haenam, 22 February: 22.2 µg/m³Haenam, 23 February: 8.0 µg/m³Haenam, 24 February: 10.6 µg/m³KosongKosong, 16 February: 7.1 µg/m³Kosong, 17 February: 4.3 µg/m³Kosong, 18 February: 17.4 µg/m³Kosong, 19 February: 9.5 µg/m³Kosong, 20 February: 28.7 µg/m³, 2.8× its usual 10.3Kosong, 21 February: 26.6 µg/m³, 2.6× its usual 10.4Kosong, 22 February: 13.1 µg/m³Kosong, 23 February: 6.6 µg/m³Kosong, 24 February: 5.6 µg/m³GaigeturiGaigeturi, 16 February: 10.6 µg/m³Gaigeturi, 17 February: 9.5 µg/m³Gaigeturi, 18 February: 24.7 µg/m³Gaigeturi, 19 February: 6.0 µg/m³Gaigeturi, 20 February: 28.5 µg/m³, 2.3× its usual 12.3Gaigeturi, 21 February: 20.5 µg/m³Gaigeturi, 22 February: 18.6 µg/m³Gaigeturi, 23 February: 10.7 µg/m³Gaigeturi, 24 February: 8.0 µg/m³FukuokaFukuoka, 16 February: 20.8 µg/m³Fukuoka, 17 February: 7.9 µg/m³Fukuoka, 18 February: 12.9 µg/m³Fukuoka, 19 February: 24.5 µg/m³Fukuoka, 20 February: 27.1 µg/m³, 2.8× its usual 9.7Fukuoka, 21 February: 19.0 µg/m³Fukuoka, 22 February: 11.0 µg/m³Fukuoka, 23 February: 12.6 µg/m³Fukuoka, 24 February: 9.0 µg/m³OnodaOnoda, 16 February: 20.6 µg/m³Onoda, 17 February: 9.6 µg/m³Onoda, 18 February: 14.1 µg/m³Onoda, 19 February: 20.2 µg/m³Onoda, 20 February: 26.5 µg/m³, 2.6× its usual 10.1Onoda, 21 February: 27.9 µg/m³, 2.7× its usual 10.3Onoda, 22 February: 16.9 µg/m³Onoda, 23 February: 18.1 µg/m³Onoda, 24 February: 7.3 µg/m³Tanushimarumachi-to…Tanushimarumachi-toyoki, 16 February: 19.0 µg/m³Tanushimarumachi-toyoki, 17 February: 6.7 µg/m³Tanushimarumachi-toyoki, 18 February: 14.5 µg/m³Tanushimarumachi-toyoki, 19 February: 24.9 µg/m³Tanushimarumachi-toyoki, 20 February: 25.0 µg/m³, 2.3× its usual 11.0Tanushimarumachi-toyoki, 21 February: 17.0 µg/m³Tanushimarumachi-toyoki, 22 February: 10.7 µg/m³Tanushimarumachi-toyoki, 23 February: 10.2 µg/m³Tanushimarumachi-toyoki, 24 February: 10.2 µg/m³YeongjuYeongju, 16 February: 27.3 µg/m³Yeongju, 17 February: 13.4 µg/m³Yeongju, 18 February: 27.6 µg/m³Yeongju, 19 February: 21.4 µg/m³Yeongju, 20 February: 34.5 µg/m³Yeongju, 21 February: 47.8 µg/m³, 2.2× its usual 22.0Yeongju, 22 February: 39.3 µg/m³Yeongju, 23 February: 11.3 µg/m³Yeongju, 24 February: 21.3 µg/m³Hongch’ŏnHongch’ŏn, 16 February: 15.2 µg/m³Hongch’ŏn, 17 February: 12.6 µg/m³Hongch’ŏn, 18 February: 20.0 µg/m³Hongch’ŏn, 19 February: 19.7 µg/m³Hongch’ŏn, 20 February: 34.4 µg/m³Hongch’ŏn, 21 February: 45.0 µg/m³, 2.4× its usual 19.0Hongch’ŏn, 22 February: 30.8 µg/m³Hongch’ŏn, 23 February: 7.5 µg/m³Hongch’ŏn, 24 February: 9.0 µg/m³YeojuYeoju, 16 February: 17.9 µg/m³Yeoju, 17 February: 20.2 µg/m³Yeoju, 18 February: 18.6 µg/m³Yeoju, 19 February: 20.3 µg/m³Yeoju, 20 February: 37.8 µg/m³Yeoju, 21 February: 43.2 µg/m³, 2.0× its usual 21.6Yeoju, 22 February: 27.1 µg/m³Yeoju, 23 February: 8.8 µg/m³Yeoju, 24 February: 14.3 µg/m³HwadoHwado, 16 February: 16.5 µg/m³Hwado, 17 February: 17.7 µg/m³Hwado, 18 February: 22.5 µg/m³Hwado, 19 February: 19.9 µg/m³Hwado, 20 February: 36.9 µg/m³Hwado, 21 February: 40.4 µg/m³, 2.1× its usual 19.4Hwado, 22 February: 24.7 µg/m³Hwado, 23 February: 11.3 µg/m³Hwado, 24 February: 12.9 µg/m³WaegwanWaegwan, 16 February: 13.8 µg/m³Waegwan, 17 February: 12.5 µg/m³Waegwan, 18 February: 16.7 µg/m³Waegwan, 19 February: 14.8 µg/m³Waegwan, 20 February: 25.0 µg/m³Waegwan, 21 February: 37.8 µg/m³, 2.1× its usual 18.0Waegwan, 22 February: 23.9 µg/m³Waegwan, 23 February: 9.8 µg/m³Waegwan, 24 February: 14.9 µg/m³ChinjuChinju, 16 February: 19.7 µg/m³Chinju, 17 February: 10.6 µg/m³Chinju, 18 February: 15.8 µg/m³Chinju, 19 February: 13.8 µg/m³Chinju, 20 February: 29.1 µg/m³Chinju, 21 February: 37.3 µg/m³, 2.4× its usual 15.7Chinju, 22 February: 28.5 µg/m³Chinju, 23 February: 17.7 µg/m³Chinju, 24 February: 12.2 µg/m³HwacheonHwacheon, 16 February: 11.1 µg/m³Hwacheon, 17 February: 13.1 µg/m³Hwacheon, 18 February: 21.0 µg/m³Hwacheon, 19 February: 17.1 µg/m³Hwacheon, 20 February: 30.5 µg/m³Hwacheon, 21 February: 37.1 µg/m³, 2.1× its usual 17.6Hwacheon, 22 February: 12.7 µg/m³Hwacheon, 23 February: 12.6 µg/m³Hwacheon, 24 February: 8.1 µg/m³HadongHadong, 16 February: 16.6 µg/m³Hadong, 17 February: 13.6 µg/m³Hadong, 18 February: 15.5 µg/m³Hadong, 19 February: 7.8 µg/m³Hadong, 20 February: 26.7 µg/m³Hadong, 21 February: 36.6 µg/m³, 2.5× its usual 14.4Hadong, 22 February: 29.6 µg/m³Hadong, 23 February: 18.9 µg/m³Hadong, 24 February: 10.0 µg/m³HayangHayang, 16 February: 14.4 µg/m³Hayang, 17 February: 8.9 µg/m³Hayang, 18 February: 15.2 µg/m³Hayang, 19 February: 14.0 µg/m³Hayang, 20 February: 25.3 µg/m³Hayang, 21 February: 35.8 µg/m³, 2.3× its usual 15.9Hayang, 22 February: 20.5 µg/m³Hayang, 23 February: 4.4 µg/m³Hayang, 24 February: 15.6 µg/m³TongyeongTongyeong, 16 February: 20.0 µg/m³Tongyeong, 17 February: 10.9 µg/m³Tongyeong, 18 February: 18.0 µg/m³Tongyeong, 19 February: 12.9 µg/m³Tongyeong, 20 February: 29.8 µg/m³Tongyeong, 21 February: 32.9 µg/m³, 2.2× its usual 15.2Tongyeong, 22 February: 24.7 µg/m³Tongyeong, 23 February: 11.7 µg/m³Tongyeong, 24 February: 10.3 µg/m³SinhyeonSinhyeon, 16 February: 20.1 µg/m³Sinhyeon, 17 February: 13.1 µg/m³Sinhyeon, 18 February: 24.9 µg/m³Sinhyeon, 19 February: 19.5 µg/m³Sinhyeon, 20 February: 29.7 µg/m³Sinhyeon, 21 February: 32.1 µg/m³, 2.1× its usual 15.3Sinhyeon, 22 February: 26.5 µg/m³Sinhyeon, 23 February: 14.1 µg/m³Sinhyeon, 24 February: 11.9 µg/m³GoseongGoseong, 16 February: 17.3 µg/m³Goseong, 17 February: 9.7 µg/m³Goseong, 18 February: 14.2 µg/m³Goseong, 19 February: 10.4 µg/m³Goseong, 20 February: 25.7 µg/m³Goseong, 21 February: 31.0 µg/m³, 2.1× its usual 15.0Goseong, 22 February: 22.9 µg/m³Goseong, 23 February: 10.0 µg/m³Goseong, 24 February: 7.9 µg/m³ChangwonChangwon, 16 February: 14.0 µg/m³Changwon, 17 February: 9.5 µg/m³Changwon, 18 February: 16.6 µg/m³Changwon, 19 February: 16.0 µg/m³Changwon, 20 February: 24.0 µg/m³Changwon, 21 February: 30.2 µg/m³, 2.3× its usual 13.3Changwon, 22 February: 17.9 µg/m³Changwon, 23 February: 7.5 µg/m³Changwon, 24 February: 9.6 µg/m³DamyangDamyang, 16 February: 8.3 µg/m³Damyang, 17 February: 10.0 µg/m³Damyang, 18 February: 11.8 µg/m³Damyang, 19 February: 4.0 µg/m³Damyang, 20 February: 21.0 µg/m³Damyang, 21 February: 30.2 µg/m³, 2.0× its usual 14.8Damyang, 22 February: 21.5 µg/m³Damyang, 23 February: 4.0 µg/m³Damyang, 24 February: 7.3 µg/m³BusanBusan, 16 February: 16.1 µg/m³Busan, 17 February: 9.9 µg/m³Busan, 18 February: 18.9 µg/m³Busan, 19 February: 17.5 µg/m³Busan, 20 February: 25.1 µg/m³Busan, 21 February: 30.2 µg/m³, 2.0× its usual 15.0Busan, 22 February: 21.2 µg/m³Busan, 23 February: 9.2 µg/m³Busan, 24 February: 11.3 µg/m³KwangyangKwangyang, 16 February: 11.9 µg/m³Kwangyang, 17 February: 11.4 µg/m³Kwangyang, 18 February: 13.7 µg/m³Kwangyang, 19 February: 7.2 µg/m³Kwangyang, 20 February: 21.9 µg/m³Kwangyang, 21 February: 30.0 µg/m³, 2.2× its usual 13.4Kwangyang, 22 February: 22.4 µg/m³Kwangyang, 23 February: 9.1 µg/m³Kwangyang, 24 February: 10.5 µg/m³EisenEisen, 16 February: 9.1 µg/m³Eisen, 17 February: 8.6 µg/m³Eisen, 18 February: 14.8 µg/m³Eisen, 19 February: 11.4 µg/m³Eisen, 20 February: 24.7 µg/m³Eisen, 21 February: 29.9 µg/m³, 2.2× its usual 13.6Eisen, 22 February: 22.4 µg/m³Eisen, 23 February: 4.3 µg/m³Eisen, 24 February: 11.7 µg/m³UlsanUlsan, 16 February: 12.4 µg/m³Ulsan, 17 February: 9.0 µg/m³Ulsan, 18 February: 17.1 µg/m³Ulsan, 19 February: 14.3 µg/m³Ulsan, 20 February: 22.7 µg/m³Ulsan, 21 February: 29.8 µg/m³, 2.1× its usual 14.3Ulsan, 22 February: 19.4 µg/m³Ulsan, 23 February: 7.5 µg/m³Ulsan, 24 February: 7.3 µg/m³YeosuYeosu, 16 February: 14.6 µg/m³Yeosu, 17 February: 13.0 µg/m³Yeosu, 18 February: 14.2 µg/m³Yeosu, 19 February: 9.2 µg/m³Yeosu, 20 February: 23.9 µg/m³Yeosu, 21 February: 29.3 µg/m³, 2.3× its usual 12.8Yeosu, 22 February: 20.6 µg/m³Yeosu, 23 February: 11.0 µg/m³Yeosu, 24 February: 8.8 µg/m³GwangyangGwangyang, 16 February: 17.7 µg/m³Gwangyang, 17 February: 10.5 µg/m³Gwangyang, 18 February: 13.3 µg/m³Gwangyang, 19 February: 7.2 µg/m³Gwangyang, 20 February: 22.7 µg/m³Gwangyang, 21 February: 29.0 µg/m³, 2.3× its usual 12.8Gwangyang, 22 February: 23.4 µg/m³Gwangyang, 23 February: 14.4 µg/m³Gwangyang, 24 February: 8.2 µg/m³JumunjinJumunjin, 16 February: 12.0 µg/m³Jumunjin, 17 February: 9.8 µg/m³Jumunjin, 18 February: 18.8 µg/m³Jumunjin, 19 February: 12.2 µg/m³Jumunjin, 20 February: 25.4 µg/m³Jumunjin, 21 February: 28.9 µg/m³, 2.3× its usual 12.8Jumunjin, 22 February: 19.8 µg/m³Jumunjin, 23 February: 8.7 µg/m³Jumunjin, 24 February: 9.5 µg/m³KimhaeKimhae, 16 February: 13.3 µg/m³Kimhae, 17 February: 8.9 µg/m³Kimhae, 18 February: 17.7 µg/m³Kimhae, 19 February: 17.6 µg/m³Kimhae, 20 February: 24.5 µg/m³Kimhae, 21 February: 28.9 µg/m³, 2.1× its usual 13.8Kimhae, 22 February: 18.6 µg/m³Kimhae, 23 February: 7.9 µg/m³Kimhae, 24 February: 13.1 µg/m³SuncheonSuncheon, 16 February: 11.0 µg/m³Suncheon, 17 February: 12.2 µg/m³Suncheon, 18 February: 13.4 µg/m³Suncheon, 19 February: 6.7 µg/m³Suncheon, 20 February: 20.1 µg/m³Suncheon, 21 February: 28.4 µg/m³, 2.2× its usual 12.8Suncheon, 22 February: 24.3 µg/m³Suncheon, 23 February: 7.8 µg/m³Suncheon, 24 February: 6.2 µg/m³T’aebaekT’aebaek, 16 February: 9.5 µg/m³T’aebaek, 17 February: 10.7 µg/m³T’aebaek, 18 February: 18.4 µg/m³T’aebaek, 19 February: 10.7 µg/m³T’aebaek, 20 February: 25.2 µg/m³T’aebaek, 21 February: 27.5 µg/m³, 2.1× its usual 13.0T’aebaek, 22 February: 20.5 µg/m³T’aebaek, 23 February: 6.5 µg/m³T’aebaek, 24 February: 9.5 µg/m³GeojeGeoje, 16 February: 17.0 µg/m³Geoje, 17 February: 7.7 µg/m³Geoje, 18 February: 19.1 µg/m³Geoje, 19 February: 17.9 µg/m³Geoje, 20 February: 24.6 µg/m³Geoje, 21 February: 27.0 µg/m³, 2.1× its usual 13.1Geoje, 22 February: 22.7 µg/m³Geoje, 23 February: 8.5 µg/m³Geoje, 24 February: 12.0 µg/m³ShimonosekiShimonoseki, 16 February: 22.0 µg/m³Shimonoseki, 17 February: 5.6 µg/m³Shimonoseki, 18 February: 12.3 µg/m³Shimonoseki, 19 February: 16.9 µg/m³Shimonoseki, 20 February: 23.2 µg/m³Shimonoseki, 21 February: 26.9 µg/m³, 3.1× its usual 8.6Shimonoseki, 22 February: 16.4 µg/m³Shimonoseki, 23 February: 9.0 µg/m³Shimonoseki, 24 February: 6.0 µg/m³BoseongBoseong, 16 February: 11.5 µg/m³Boseong, 17 February: 11.6 µg/m³Boseong, 18 February: 16.3 µg/m³Boseong, 19 February: 5.5 µg/m³Boseong, 20 February: 22.0 µg/m³Boseong, 21 February: 26.9 µg/m³, 2.1× its usual 12.8Boseong, 22 February: 25.0 µg/m³Boseong, 23 February: 7.4 µg/m³Boseong, 24 February: 10.3 µg/m³ImabariImabari, 16 February: 16.1 µg/m³Imabari, 17 February: 7.6 µg/m³Imabari, 18 February: 9.1 µg/m³Imabari, 19 February: 13.8 µg/m³Imabari, 20 February: 15.2 µg/m³Imabari, 21 February: 26.6 µg/m³, 2.9× its usual 9.2Imabari, 22 February: 23.8 µg/m³Imabari, 23 February: 23.7 µg/m³Imabari, 24 February: 14.4 µg/m³UngsangUngsang, 16 February: 13.6 µg/m³Ungsang, 17 February: 6.7 µg/m³Ungsang, 18 February: 15.5 µg/m³Ungsang, 19 February: 15.2 µg/m³Ungsang, 20 February: 22.9 µg/m³Ungsang, 21 February: 26.4 µg/m³, 2.1× its usual 12.7Ungsang, 22 February: 18.4 µg/m³Ungsang, 23 February: 5.8 µg/m³Ungsang, 24 February: 7.4 µg/m³SaijōSaijō, 16 February: 17.6 µg/m³Saijō, 17 February: 9.7 µg/m³Saijō, 18 February: 9.7 µg/m³Saijō, 19 February: 16.9 µg/m³Saijō, 20 February: 16.4 µg/m³Saijō, 21 February: 26.3 µg/m³, 2.6× its usual 10.2Saijō, 22 February: 26.6 µg/m³Saijō, 23 February: 30.0 µg/m³Saijō, 24 February: 17.7 µg/m³Koch'angKoch'ang, 16 February: 11.2 µg/m³Koch'ang, 17 February: 10.8 µg/m³Koch'ang, 18 February: 14.7 µg/m³Koch'ang, 19 February: 4.5 µg/m³Koch'ang, 20 February: 23.6 µg/m³Koch'ang, 21 February: 26.3 µg/m³, 2.1× its usual 12.7Koch'ang, 22 February: 20.8 µg/m³Koch'ang, 23 February: 4.9 µg/m³Koch'ang, 24 February: 12.4 µg/m³OnomichiOnomichi, 16 February: 18.1 µg/m³Onomichi, 17 February: 10.7 µg/m³Onomichi, 18 February: 14.1 µg/m³Onomichi, 19 February: 15.9 µg/m³Onomichi, 20 February: 18.0 µg/m³Onomichi, 21 February: 25.7 µg/m³, 2.6× its usual 9.7Onomichi, 22 February: 29.7 µg/m³Onomichi, 23 February: 18.9 µg/m³Onomichi, 24 February: 17.4 µg/m³HwasunHwasun, 16 February: 11.5 µg/m³Hwasun, 17 February: 10.1 µg/m³Hwasun, 18 February: 9.8 µg/m³Hwasun, 19 February: 6.4 µg/m³Hwasun, 20 February: 17.3 µg/m³Hwasun, 21 February: 25.7 µg/m³, 2.1× its usual 12.5Hwasun, 22 February: 20.5 µg/m³Hwasun, 23 February: 10.1 µg/m³Hwasun, 24 February: 10.6 µg/m³FukuyamaFukuyama, 16 February: 17.5 µg/m³Fukuyama, 17 February: 10.7 µg/m³Fukuyama, 18 February: 11.9 µg/m³Fukuyama, 19 February: 13.7 µg/m³Fukuyama, 20 February: 18.5 µg/m³Fukuyama, 21 February: 25.6 µg/m³, 2.4× its usual 10.5Fukuyama, 22 February: 27.9 µg/m³Fukuyama, 23 February: 22.1 µg/m³Fukuyama, 24 February: 17.9 µg/m³KasaokaKasaoka, 16 February: 14.2 µg/m³Kasaoka, 17 February: 7.7 µg/m³Kasaoka, 18 February: 9.1 µg/m³Kasaoka, 19 February: 11.7 µg/m³Kasaoka, 20 February: 16.3 µg/m³Kasaoka, 21 February: 25.2 µg/m³, 2.8× its usual 9.1Kasaoka, 22 February: 19.8 µg/m³Kasaoka, 23 February: 16.0 µg/m³Kasaoka, 24 February: 12.6 µg/m³16 Feb1718192021222324
Every counted city, in the order the episode reached them, 3 days before to 3 after. Each square is a day, coloured by that day's PM2.5; outlined: at twice the city's usual or more.
Good0–50
Moderate51–100
Sensitive groups101–150
Unhealthy151–200
Very unhealthy201–300
Hazardous301+

Every city it reached

CityDaysHighestUsualAbove usual
ShimonosekiYamaguchi, Japan1 26.921 February8.63.1×
ImabariEhime, Japan1 26.621 February9.22.9×
SokchoGangwon-do, South Korea2 33.321 February11.92.8×
KosongGangwon-do, South Korea2 28.720 February10.32.8×
FukuokaFukuoka, Japan1 27.120 February9.72.8×
KasaokaOkayama, Japan1 25.221 February9.12.8×
OnodaYamaguchi, Japan2 27.921 February10.32.7×
SeogwipoJeju-do, South Korea1 29.420 February11.52.6×
SaijōEhime, Japan1 26.321 February10.22.6×
HyūgaMiyazaki, Japan1 25.919 February10.02.6×
OnomichiHiroshima, Japan1 25.721 February9.72.6×
TakanabeMiyazaki, Japan1 25.519 February9.82.6×
HadongGyeongsangnam-do, South Korea1 36.621 February14.42.5×
Hongch’ŏnGangwon-do, South Korea1 45.021 February19.02.4×
ChinjuGyeongsangnam-do, South Korea1 37.321 February15.72.4×
Jeju CityJeju-do, South Korea1 30.220 February12.52.4×
FukuyamaHiroshima, Japan1 25.621 February10.52.4×
HayangGyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea1 35.821 February15.92.3×
HitaOita, Japan1 32.919 February14.32.3×
ChangwonGyeongsangnam-do, South Korea1 30.221 February13.32.3×
YeosuJeollanam-do, South Korea1 29.321 February12.82.3×
GwangyangJeollanam-do, South Korea1 29.021 February12.82.3×
JumunjinGangwon-do, South Korea1 28.921 February12.82.3×
GaigeturiJeju-do, South Korea1 28.520 February12.32.3×
Maebaru-chūōFukuoka, Japan2 25.820 February11.02.3×
Tanushimarumachi-toyokiFukuoka, Japan1 25.020 February11.02.3×
YeongjuGyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea1 47.821 February22.02.2×
TongyeongGyeongsangnam-do, South Korea1 32.921 February15.22.2×
KwangyangJeollanam-do, South Korea1 30.021 February13.42.2×
EisenGyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea1 29.921 February13.62.2×
SuncheonJeollanam-do, South Korea1 28.421 February12.82.2×
HwadoGyeonggi-do, South Korea1 40.421 February19.42.1×
BoryeongChungcheongnam-do, South Korea1 39.720 February19.22.1×
WaegwanGyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea1 37.821 February18.02.1×
HwacheonGangwon-do, South Korea1 37.121 February17.62.1×
YangguGangwon-do, South Korea2 36.020 February17.12.1×
SinhyeonGyeongsangnam-do, South Korea1 32.121 February15.32.1×
GoseongGyeongsangnam-do, South Korea1 31.021 February15.02.1×
UlsanUlsan, South Korea1 29.821 February14.32.1×
KimhaeGyeongsangnam-do, South Korea1 28.921 February13.82.1×
T’aebaekGangwon-do, South Korea1 27.521 February13.02.1×
GeojeGyeongsangnam-do, South Korea1 27.021 February13.12.1×
BoseongJeollanam-do, South Korea1 26.921 February12.82.1×
UngsangGyeongsangnam-do, South Korea1 26.421 February12.72.1×
Koch'angJeollabuk-do, South Korea1 26.321 February12.72.1×
HwasunJeollanam-do, South Korea1 25.721 February12.52.1×
YeojuGyeonggi-do, South Korea1 43.221 February21.62.0×
GapyeongGyeonggi-do, South Korea1 36.220 February18.12.0×
DamyangJeollanam-do, South Korea1 30.221 February14.82.0×
BusanBusan, South Korea1 30.221 February15.02.0×
HaenamJeollanam-do, South Korea1 28.920 February14.32.0×

Daily means in µg/m³, over the days each city counted in this episode. Highest: its highest of those days. Usual: the city's median for the time of year of that day (its days within 21 days of the date, every year, leaving out the week around it). Above usual: its highest day against that, with a usual under 5 µg/m³ taken as 5.

Against other episodes in South Korea and Japan

Number 36 of 94 episodes in South Korea and Japan since our records began, by cities reached.

Bars: cities reached; colour: the level of the episode's highest daily reading. All 94.

Use this page

SmogRank, South Korea and Japan, 19 to 21 February 2026: 51 cities with PM2.5 at twice their usual or more, 19 to 21 February 2026, smogrank.com/episodes/2026-02-19-south-korea-and-japan (accessed 4 October 2026).

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You're welcome to reuse a single chart, image or figure with this citation and a link. Terms.

An episode is a run of days when many cities close to each other (four or more within 350 km on a day, 8 or more in all) each had a daily PM2.5 mean of at least 25 µg/m³ and at least 2 times their usual for that time of year. Found in our own measurements, not picked by hand. How we find episodes. Values are each city's daily mean of its own monitors; causes are the usual kinds for a pattern like this, not a confirmed source.