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Rushan is a coastal county-level city in eastern Shandong Province, China, situated on the southern shore of the Shandong Peninsula where it meets the Yellow Sea. Its coordinates at 36.8700°N, 121.5050°E place it within the Jiaodong Peninsula region, characterized by a mix of low-lying coastal plains and gentle hills, with elevations generally below 200 meters. The city's urban character blends modern development with traditional fishing and agricultural communities, creating an urban-rural gradient that influences local air quality patterns. Rushan's position along the Yellow Sea coast provides natural ventilation that typically disperses pollutants seaward, but its location within the broader Shandong industrial belt—proximate to major manufacturing centers like Qingdao and Yantai—means it can experience transported pollution from regional industrial activities. The surrounding landscape includes agricultural zones producing grains and fruits, which can contribute seasonal agricultural burning emissions. The city's coastal geography creates a microclimate where sea breezes and land breezes interact, often preventing severe temperature inversions but sometimes trapping pollutants when wind patterns stagnate. Proximity to the Yellow Sea moderates temperatures but also brings marine aerosols and humidity that can interact with urban emissions to form secondary pollutants.

In Rushan, air quality follows distinct seasonal patterns shaped by the East Asian monsoon and local coastal meteorology. During winter (December-February), pollution typically peaks due to increased residential heating emissions, occasional temperature inversions over the peninsula, and northerly winds that can transport industrial pollutants from inland Shandong. Sensitive groups should limit prolonged outdoor exposure during calm, cold spells. Spring (March-May) brings variable conditions: March often sees lingering winter pollution, while April-May benefits from stronger sea breezes and frequent precipitation that cleanse the air, making this period favourable for outdoor activities. Summer (June-August) offers the cleanest air as prevailing southeasterly monsoon winds from the Yellow Sea disperse pollutants, though high humidity and sunlight can occasionally elevate ozone levels on hot, stagnant days. Autumn (September-November) begins with relatively good air quality in September, but conditions deteriorate in October-November as heating season commences, wind patterns shift, and agricultural burning may occur in surrounding areas. Throughout the year, fog—common along this coast—can trap pollutants near the surface, particularly during transitional months. The best months for outdoor activity are typically May-June and September, while January and November often see the poorest air quality. Sensitive individuals should monitor daily forecasts and use air purifiers during peak pollution periods.