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Qiqihar occupies a strategic position in northeastern China's Heilongjiang province, situated on the fertile Songnen Plain where the Nen River converges with the Songhua River. This riverine location at approximately 150 meters above sea level creates a distinctive urban geography where water bodies intersect with expanding urban development. The city serves as a major transportation hub connecting China's northeast industrial belt with agricultural heartlands, creating a pronounced urban-rural gradient where dense urban cores transition to extensive farmlands. Qiqihar's geography specifically impacts air quality through several mechanisms: its position in a basin-like terrain surrounded by low hills to the northwest creates occasional atmospheric stagnation, while proximity to the Greater Khingan Range to the west can channel or block air flows depending on wind patterns. The surrounding landscape features extensive agricultural zones producing corn, soybeans, and wheat, contributing seasonal biomass burning emissions. Industrial activities concentrate along river corridors, with manufacturing, food processing, and machinery production creating localized pollution sources. During winter, the frozen Nen River loses its moderating influence on temperature, while in warmer months, evaporation from water bodies can increase humidity that interacts with pollutants. The city's growth as a regional center has expanded impervious surfaces that contribute to urban heat island effects, potentially exacerbating ozone formation during summer months.

Qiqihar experiences dramatic seasonal variations in air quality driven by its continental monsoon climate with cold, dry winters and warm, humid summers. Winter months from December through February typically present the most challenging conditions, as intense cold requires substantial residential heating primarily from coal, while temperature inversions trap pollutants close to the ground. These inversions occur when cold, dense air settles in the basin-like terrain, creating a lid that prevents vertical mixing. Spring brings gradual improvement as temperatures rise and winds increase, though March and April can experience dust storms from the arid regions to the northwest, carrying particulate matter across the region. Summer offers the cleanest air from June through August, as increased precipitation washes pollutants from the atmosphere and prevailing southeasterly winds provide better ventilation. However, occasional periods of high humidity combined with industrial emissions can lead to ozone formation on hot, stagnant days. Autumn sees a gradual deterioration as temperatures drop, heating demands increase, and atmospheric mixing decreases. Sensitive groups including those with respiratory conditions, children, and older adults should limit prolonged outdoor exertion during winter months and on days following agricultural burning in spring and autumn. The most favorable months for outdoor activities are typically June through September, when ventilation is optimal and heating emissions are minimal.