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K'ebrī Dehar, situated in Ethiopia's Somali Region at coordinates 6.7333°N, 44.2667°E, occupies a strategic position in the Horn of Africa's arid lowlands. The city lies approximately 500 meters above sea level on the vast Ogaden Plateau, characterized by flat to gently rolling terrain with sparse vegetation typical of semi-desert ecosystems. Its geographic setting profoundly influences air quality through multiple mechanisms. Located inland from the Indian Ocean, K'ebrī Dehar experiences limited maritime influence on pollution dispersion, while its position near the Ethiopian-Somali border places it within a pastoral and agricultural transition zone where seasonal dust from overgrazed rangelands contributes to particulate matter. The urban area itself, home to nearly 500,000 residents, represents an oasis of concentrated human activity amid surrounding rural expanses, creating a distinct urban-rural gradient where localized emissions from transportation, residential biomass burning, and small-scale commerce interact with regional dust sources. The absence of major water bodies nearby eliminates any moderating effects on temperature inversions that can trap pollutants, particularly during the dry seasons. The city's growth as an administrative and commercial hub for the region has intensified typical urban pollution sources without corresponding industrial development seen in Ethiopia's highland cities, making its air quality challenges predominantly tied to urbanization patterns in an environmentally sensitive arid landscape.

K'ebrī Dehar's air quality follows distinct seasonal patterns shaped by the region's bimodal rainfall regime and persistent aridity. During the long dry season from December to March, pollution typically peaks as stagnant atmospheric conditions prevail, with minimal precipitation to cleanse the air and frequent temperature inversions trapping particulate matter from urban activities and wind-blown dust. This period presents the greatest respiratory risks, particularly for sensitive groups like children, elderly residents, and those with pre-existing conditions, who should limit prolonged outdoor exposure during midday when dust concentrations often peak. The short rainy season from April to June brings temporary relief through rainfall that suppresses dust and disperses pollutants, making this transitional period more favourable for outdoor activities despite occasional dust storms preceding rain events. July through September represents another dry interval where pollution gradually builds again, though typically less severe than the main dry season due to residual soil moisture. The October-November short rains provide another cleansing period, though less pronounced than the spring rains. Throughout the year, wind patterns play a crucial role, with easterly winds during dry months transporting additional dust from the surrounding Ogaden plains, while seasonal shifts during rains alter dispersion dynamics. Sensitive populations should monitor local conditions particularly during the December-March peak, considering indoor air filtration during prolonged dry spells when fine particulate matter accumulates most persistently.