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Uberaba is strategically positioned in the Triângulo Mineiro region of southeastern Brazil, approximately 500 kilometers northwest of São Paulo. Situated at an elevation of 823 meters above sea level on the Brazilian Plateau, the city occupies a transitional zone between the Cerrado savanna biome and agricultural frontiers. The landscape features gently rolling hills with the Uberaba River flowing through the urban core, creating a natural drainage basin that influences local air circulation patterns. As a regional economic hub, Uberaba's urban character blends commercial centers with expanding residential districts, surrounded by extensive soybean, corn, and sugarcane plantations that create a distinct urban-rural gradient. The city's location in Brazil's interior shields it from coastal influences but exposes it to agricultural emissions from surrounding farmlands. Proximity to major highways connecting to São Paulo and Brasília contributes to transportation-related pollution, while the city's position in a relatively flat basin can occasionally trap pollutants during atmospheric inversions. The absence of significant industrial clusters means air quality is primarily affected by vehicle emissions, agricultural burning during specific seasons, and dust from unpaved rural roads. The Cerrado's dry vegetation and seasonal winds can transport particulate matter from surrounding farmlands into the urban area, creating a unique air quality profile distinct from Brazil's coastal megacities.

Uberaba experiences distinct seasonal air quality variations tied to its tropical savanna climate. During the dry winter months from May to August, pollution typically peaks due to agricultural burning practices in surrounding farmlands, combined with temperature inversions that trap smoke and particulate matter near the surface. These months feature cooler nights and clearer skies, creating ideal conditions for pollutant accumulation, making early mornings particularly problematic for respiratory health. Sensitive groups should limit outdoor activities during morning hours when inversion layers are strongest. The spring transition from September to November brings increasing rainfall that gradually clears atmospheric pollutants, though occasional pre-rain burning can cause temporary spikes. Summer from December to February offers the cleanest air as frequent afternoon thunderstorms and consistent winds disperse pollutants, making this the optimal season for outdoor activities despite higher temperatures. Autumn from March to April sees decreasing rainfall but generally maintains good air quality until the dry season begins. Throughout the year, wind patterns from the southeast help ventilate the urban area, but during the dry season, these winds can also transport agricultural smoke from distant burning. Fog is rare but can occur in winter valleys, temporarily worsening pollution visibility. Health guidance emphasizes monitoring local air quality reports during the May-August burning season and scheduling outdoor exercise for late afternoons when atmospheric mixing is greatest.