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Xin'an, situated in Jiangsu Province of eastern China at coordinates 34.2860°N, 118.3550°E, occupies a strategic position within the North China Plain, approximately 300 kilometers northwest of Shanghai. This mid-sized city of 920,628 residents lies at an average elevation of 30 meters above sea level, characterized by predominantly flat terrain with gentle undulations typical of the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain. Xin'an's urban character blends industrial zones with residential districts, creating an urban-rural gradient where manufacturing facilities gradually give way to agricultural lands toward the periphery. The city's location places it within the broader Yangtze River Delta economic zone, though it sits north of the Yangtze itself, instead being traversed by the Yi River, a tributary of the Huai River system. This proximity to waterways historically supported agriculture but now also facilitates industrial transport. Surrounding landscapes consist of cultivated fields producing wheat and corn, interspersed with smaller towns forming part of Jiangsu's dense settlement pattern. Xin'an's air quality is significantly influenced by its position downwind of major industrial regions in Shandong and Hebei provinces, with prevailing northwesterly winds during winter transporting pollutants across the flat terrain. The absence of significant topographic barriers allows unimpeded air mass movement, while the city's own industrial activities—including manufacturing and processing plants—contribute to local pollution accumulation, particularly under stagnant atmospheric conditions common in this basin-like region of eastern China.

Xin'an experiences distinct seasonal air quality patterns shaped by East Asian monsoonal circulation and local meteorological conditions. During winter (December-February), pollution typically peaks due to increased coal combustion for heating, temperature inversions that trap pollutants near the surface, and frequent calm winds that prevent dispersion. Cold, stable atmospheric layers create persistent haze episodes, making January the most challenging month for air quality. Sensitive groups should minimize outdoor exertion during these periods and consider indoor air purifiers. Spring (March-May) brings gradual improvement as temperatures rise and winds strengthen, though March can still experience pollution carryover from winter, while April-May see better ventilation with increasing southerly flows. Summer (June-August) offers the cleanest air as the East Asian summer monsoon brings abundant rainfall that scrubs pollutants from the atmosphere, and convective mixing disperses emissions vertically. However, high humidity can occasionally combine with emissions to form secondary pollutants. Autumn (September-November) begins with relatively good air quality in September but deteriorates through October and November as heating season commences, winds weaken, and temperature inversions become more frequent. For optimal outdoor activity, late spring through early autumn provides the most favorable conditions, while winter requires precautions, especially for children, elderly, and those with respiratory conditions who should monitor daily air quality reports and limit exposure during pollution episodes.