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Anlu is a county-level city in northeastern Hubei Province, China, situated approximately 100 kilometers northwest of Wuhan, the provincial capital. Nestled in the Jianghan Plain, Anlu lies at a modest elevation of around 50 meters above sea level, characterized by flat to gently rolling terrain typical of this alluvial basin formed by the Yangtze and Han rivers. The city's location places it within the fertile agricultural heartland of central China, surrounded by extensive rice paddies, cotton fields, and vegetable farms that contribute to regional biomass burning during harvest seasons. Anlu's urban core, with a population nearing 500,000, represents a moderate-sized urban center in a predominantly rural region, creating a distinct urban-rural gradient where pollution sources blend agricultural emissions with general urban activities like transportation, residential heating, and small-scale industry. The city is positioned roughly 40 kilometers south of the Dawu River, a tributary of the Han River, but lacks major water bodies immediately adjacent to its urban area, reducing any moderating effects on local climate. This inland location in East Asia's monsoon zone means Anlu experiences continental influences that can trap pollutants, particularly when surrounded by the Dabie Mountains to the northeast and the Tongbai Mountains to the northwest, which can create topographic barriers that limit atmospheric dispersion. The city's position within China's central industrial belt, though not as heavily industrialized as Wuhan, still subjects it to regional pollution transport from larger urban and manufacturing centers downwind.

Anlu's air quality follows a distinct seasonal pattern shaped by the East Asian monsoon and local meteorological conditions. During winter (December-February), cold, stable atmospheric conditions frequently lead to temperature inversions that trap pollutants near the surface, compounded by increased emissions from residential heating using coal and biomass. This period typically sees the year's worst air quality, with January and February being particularly problematic months when calm winds and high humidity create persistent haze. Sensitive groups should minimize outdoor exertion during these months and consider using air purifiers indoors. Spring (March-May) brings gradual improvement as increasing temperatures and more frequent frontal systems enhance atmospheric mixing, though March can still experience poor air quality due to lingering winter patterns and occasional dust transport from northern regions. Summer (June-August) offers the cleanest air as the East Asian summer monsoon brings southerly winds, higher temperatures, and convective rainfall that effectively scavenge pollutants from the atmosphere. July and August are generally the best months for outdoor activities. Autumn (September-November) sees a gradual deterioration as monsoon winds retreat, atmospheric stability increases, and agricultural burning after harvests contributes to particulate pollution, particularly in October and November. Throughout the year, morning fog is common due to the region's high humidity and temperature variations, which can temporarily worsen air quality by trapping pollutants until daytime heating disperses them.