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Mostar sits in the heart of Herzegovina, cradled by the dramatic karst landscapes of the Dinaric Alps. The city is defined by the emerald-green Neretva River, which carves a deep valley through the limestone terrain. This narrow valley setting is critical to its urban character and air quality. As a regional hub, Mostar experiences a transition between Mediterranean and continental climates, making it one of the warmest cities in the Balkans. The surrounding mountains act as physical barriers, which frequently impede the horizontal dispersion of pollutants. The urban fabric is a blend of historic stone architecture and modern expansion, with an urban-rural gradient that blends into agricultural zones known for tobacco and vineyards. Because the city lies in a topographical depression, it is highly susceptible to atmospheric stagnation. The proximity to the river adds humidity, which can interact with particulate matter to form dense smog during colder months. While there are few heavy industrial belts within the immediate city center, the reliance on outdated residential heating systems creates a significant pollution source. The surrounding rugged terrain limits the ventilation of the city basin, ensuring that emissions from vehicle traffic and domestic stoves linger over the population. This unique confluence of karst topography and valley morphology transforms the local geography into a trap for aerosols, making the city’s air quality highly dependent on the strength of regional wind patterns and the stability of the local atmosphere, often resulting in concentrated pockets of poor air.

Mostar’s air quality follows a stark seasonal rhythm driven by temperature and heating habits. In winter, the city often faces its most challenging conditions. Cold air settles in the Neretva valley, creating temperature inversions that trap wood-smoke and coal emissions close to the ground. During December and January, stagnant air leads to peaks in particulate matter, making these months risky for asthma sufferers and the elderly, who should limit outdoor exertion. Spring brings a welcome shift as rising temperatures break these inversions. Increased rainfall helps wash pollutants from the atmosphere, and the blooming vegetation helps filter the air, making March and April ideal for outdoor activities. Summer is characterized by intense heat and high solar radiation. While particulate matter from heating vanishes, the heat can trigger the formation of ground-level ozone, especially on stagnant, sunny afternoons. This can cause respiratory irritation for sensitive groups. Autumn serves as a transitional period; early October is often clear, but as the first chills arrive in November, the cycle of residential heating begins anew. The "Jugo" wind, blowing from the south, can either clear the valley or bring humid, stagnant air depending on its intensity. To maintain health, residents are encouraged to monitor local reports during winter peaks and avoid midday sun in late summer. Overall, the air quality fluctuates from the smoggy stillness of winter to the ozone-heavy heat of summer, punctuated by the freshness of spring.