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Āqchah, situated in Afghanistan's northern Jowzjān province, occupies a strategic position in the Amu Darya basin near the border with Turkmenistan, approximately 60 kilometres southwest of the regional capital Sheberghan. The city lies on the fertile plains of northern Afghanistan at an elevation of roughly 300 metres above sea level, characterised by flat to gently undulating terrain that facilitates agricultural expansion but also contributes to pollutant stagnation. Āqchah's urban character blends traditional mud-brick architecture with more recent concrete structures, reflecting its role as a regional market centre for surrounding rural districts. The city's location in the arid to semi-arid zone of Central Asia places it within the broader Amu Darya agricultural belt, where extensive cotton and wheat cultivation generates seasonal agricultural burning and dust. Proximity to the Amu Darya River, about 30 kilometres to the north, provides irrigation but does little to mitigate air quality issues due to the region's low humidity and limited vegetative cover. The urban–rural gradient shows dense settlement in Āqchah proper transitioning to scattered villages and farmland, with minimal industrial activity beyond small-scale workshops and brick kilns that contribute particulate matter. Surrounding landscapes consist of open steppe and desert margins, making the area prone to wind-blown dust from disturbed soils, especially during dry periods. This geographic setting—flat, arid, and agriculturally intensive—creates conditions where local emissions from domestic heating, transportation, and agriculture combine with natural dust to degrade air quality, particularly when atmospheric mixing is poor.

In Āqchah, air quality follows a distinct seasonal pattern shaped by the continental climate of northern Afghanistan. Winter, from December to February, brings the worst pollution due to temperature inversions that trap emissions from widespread use of solid fuels like wood and coal for heating in the cold, calm conditions; this period poses significant risks for respiratory patients and the elderly, who should limit outdoor exposure. Spring, from March to May, sees gradual improvement as temperatures rise and winds increase, dispersing pollutants, though dust storms from agricultural preparation and dry soils can cause intermittent spikes, making late spring more favourable for outdoor activities. Summer, from June to August, offers the cleanest air with strong daytime heating creating vertical mixing that clears pollutants, but high temperatures and occasional dust from harvest activities may still affect sensitive groups during peak heat hours. Autumn, from September to November, marks a transition as cooling temperatures and reduced wind allow pollutants to accumulate again, particularly from post-harvest burning and increased domestic heating use; this season requires caution for children and those with asthma. Throughout the year, the absence of monsoons or significant fog means that pollution dynamics are driven primarily by temperature, wind patterns, and human activities, with winter being the critical period to avoid strenuous outdoor pursuits.