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Jurong, situated in Jiangsu Province within China's densely populated Yangtze River Delta, occupies a strategic position approximately 60 kilometers west of Nanjing, the provincial capital. The city lies in the transitional zone between the Yangtze River Plain to the north and the rolling hills of southern Jiangsu, creating a varied topography with elevations generally below 50 meters. This low-lying terrain, combined with Jurong's location within the broader Nanjing metropolitan area, significantly influences its air quality patterns. The urban area is characterized by a mix of residential, commercial, and light industrial development, with surrounding regions transitioning to agricultural land and scattered manufacturing zones. Proximity to the Yangtze River, about 30 kilometers to the north, provides some moderating effects but also positions Jurong within an extensive industrial corridor where emissions from transportation, energy production, and manufacturing accumulate. The city's position in East Asia's monsoon climate region means air masses frequently carry pollutants from both local sources and upwind urban centers like Nanjing and Zhenjiang. This geographic setting creates a complex airshed where topography, urbanization, and regional industrial activity converge to challenge air quality management, particularly during periods of atmospheric stagnation common in the basin-like terrain of the Yangtze Delta.

Jurong experiences distinct seasonal air quality variations shaped by East Asian monsoon patterns and local meteorological conditions. During winter (December-February), cold, stable air masses from Siberia create frequent temperature inversions that trap pollutants near the surface, resulting in the year's poorest air quality, especially in January when heating demands increase emissions. Sensitive groups should limit prolonged outdoor exposure during these months. Spring (March-May) brings transitional weather with increasing winds that disperse pollutants, though occasional dust storms from northern China can temporarily degrade air quality in March. Summer (June-August) offers the cleanest air as the East Asian summer monsoon delivers southeasterly winds from the Pacific, effectively ventilating the region, though high temperatures can intensify ozone formation on sunny afternoons. Autumn (September-November) sees gradually deteriorating conditions as monsoon winds retreat and atmospheric stability increases, with October often marking the transition to winter pollution patterns. Throughout the year, fog and haze frequently develop in the humid Yangtze Delta climate, reducing visibility and exacerbating particulate matter accumulation. Residents with respiratory conditions should monitor daily air quality forecasts, particularly during winter inversions and summer ozone peaks, adjusting outdoor activities accordingly.