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Battambang, Cambodia's second-largest city, occupies a strategic position in the country's northwest, nestled within the fertile plains of the Sangkae River basin. This low-lying urban centre, with an elevation averaging just 20 metres above sea level, lies approximately 290 kilometres northwest of Phnom Penh and 80 kilometres east of the Thai border, positioning it as a crucial agricultural and trade hub in Southeast Asia. The city's geography is characterised by flat to gently undulating terrain, dominated by extensive rice paddies and agricultural fields that stretch to the horizon, interspersed with scattered villages and small-scale industrial operations. Battambang's urban core clusters along the Sangkae River, which flows through the city centre, providing water for irrigation but also creating a natural corridor that can trap pollutants in the valley-like setting. The surrounding landscape transitions from dense urban development to vast rural expanses, creating a pronounced urban–rural gradient where agricultural activities directly influence urban air quality. Proximity to Tonlé Sap Lake, about 100 kilometres southeast, offers some moderating influence on local climate but minimal impact on pollution dispersion. This geographic configuration—flat terrain, river valley location, and integration with intensive agriculture—creates conditions where emissions from vehicles, rice mills, brick kilns, and biomass cooking accumulate readily, especially during dry periods when natural ventilation is limited.

Battambang's air quality follows a distinct seasonal pattern shaped by its tropical wet-and-dry climate and agricultural calendar. During the dry season from November to April, pollution reaches its peak, particularly from January through April. These months experience minimal rainfall, allowing dust from unpaved roads and agricultural fields to remain airborne, while agricultural burning—common after rice harvests—releases substantial smoke. Temperature inversions frequently develop overnight and persist into morning hours, trapping pollutants near the surface. Light winds from the northeast provide little dispersion, creating hazy conditions that reduce visibility and increase health risks. Sensitive groups, including children, elderly, and those with respiratory conditions, should limit outdoor activities during these months, especially in early mornings when pollution concentrations are highest. The wet season from May to October brings dramatic improvement as the southwest monsoon delivers regular rainfall that washes pollutants from the air. June through September offers the cleanest air, though high humidity can make heat more oppressive. Transitional months of May and October see variable conditions as monsoon patterns establish or retreat. Visitors seeking outdoor activities should target the early wet season (June-July) when air is freshest, while residents should monitor local burning patterns and use air purifiers indoors during peak pollution months.