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Chaohucun, situated in the heart of Anhui Province in eastern China, occupies a strategic position within the Yangtze River Delta region, approximately 150 kilometres west of Nanjing. The city lies on the northern shore of the expansive Chaohu Lake, China's fifth-largest freshwater lake, which profoundly influences its microclimate and air quality dynamics. Nestled within the Jianghuai Plain, the terrain is predominantly flat with gentle undulations, averaging around 10-20 metres above sea level, though it is flanked by the Dabie Mountains to the west and the Huangshan Mountains to the south, creating a semi-enclosed basin effect. This topography often traps pollutants, especially during stable atmospheric conditions. Chaohucun serves as a transitional zone between the industrialised urban centres of the Yangtze River Delta and the agricultural hinterlands of Anhui, blending manufacturing activities—such as textiles, machinery, and food processing—with surrounding rice paddies and aquaculture farms. The urban-rural gradient is pronounced, with dense urban cores giving way to peri-urban farmlands and lakeside communities. Proximity to Chaohu Lake moderates temperatures but also contributes to humidity, which can exacerbate particulate matter formation. The city's location within the East Asian monsoon belt means it experiences seasonal wind patterns that alternately disperse or concentrate pollutants, while its position downwind of major industrial clusters in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces occasionally leads to transboundary pollution episodes, particularly when northeasterly winds prevail.

In spring, Chaohucun experiences moderate pollution levels as increasing temperatures and frequent frontal systems from the northwest promote atmospheric mixing, though occasional dust storms from the Gobi Desert can elevate particulate matter in March and April. Summer brings the East Asian monsoon, with southeasterly winds from the Pacific Ocean sweeping across Chaohu Lake, significantly improving air quality from June to August; however, high humidity and intense sunlight can trigger ozone formation on hot, stagnant days, making early mornings the best time for outdoor activities. Autumn sees a gradual deterioration in air quality as monsoon winds retreat and temperature inversions become more common, especially in October and November, when calm conditions and cooling nights trap pollutants near the surface—sensitive groups like children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions should limit prolonged exposure during this season. Winter is the peak pollution period, typically from December to February, due to increased heating demand, industrial emissions, and persistent temperature inversions that create a lid over the basin; dense fog and low wind speeds exacerbate particulate accumulation, making it advisable to avoid strenuous outdoor exercise and use air purifiers indoors. Throughout the year, sensitive individuals should monitor local air quality indices and plan activities for afternoons when dispersion is better, while all residents can benefit from staying informed about regional pollution forecasts, particularly during transitional seasons.