The air has a daily rhythm, too

Average PM2.5 by hour of day at my station — cleanest at midday, worst after dark

Average PM2.5 by hour WHO 24-hr guideline (15)

Hourly average PM2.5 across every day on record at my IQAir station, northern Johannesburg (local time). The midday dip is the sun stirring and dispersing the air; the after-dark climb is the evening inversion settling in plus domestic fires. What this means for timing outdoor exercise is a whole post later in the series. Source: my IQAir station · adhir.me