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Jalandhar occupies a strategic position in the fertile Malwa region of Punjab, situated on the banks of the seasonal Kali Bein river at an elevation of approximately 228 meters above sea level. This city serves as a crucial urban hub within India's agriculturally dominant northwestern plains, positioned roughly 140 kilometers northwest of Delhi and forming part of the broader Indo-Gangetic Plain. The surrounding landscape is predominantly flat agricultural land, characterized by extensive paddy and wheat fields that create a distinct urban–rural gradient where urban emissions blend with agricultural pollution sources. Jalandhar's location within the Sutlej River basin places it in a topographical bowl-like formation that inhibits natural ventilation, particularly during winter months when temperature inversions trap pollutants close to the ground. The city's proximity to major transportation corridors, including National Highway 1 and railway networks connecting Delhi with Amritsar, contributes to significant vehicular emissions. As an industrial center specializing in sports goods manufacturing, rubber production, and leather works, Jalandhar's urban fabric integrates residential, commercial, and industrial zones with minimal geographical separation. The absence of significant water bodies or elevation variations exacerbates pollution accumulation, while its position downwind from agricultural burning zones in neighboring districts makes it particularly vulnerable to transboundary pollution during post-monsoon months.

Jalandhar's air quality follows a distinct seasonal pattern shaped by agricultural cycles, meteorological conditions, and urban activities. During spring (March-May), rising temperatures and occasional dust storms from the Thar Desert combine with ongoing construction and industrial emissions, creating moderate pollution levels that sensitive groups should monitor. The summer monsoon (June-September) brings substantial relief as southwest winds and heavy rainfall effectively scrub pollutants from the atmosphere, making this the optimal period for outdoor activities with generally good air quality. The dramatic deterioration begins in autumn (October-November) when post-harvest paddy stubble burning in surrounding agricultural fields coincides with decreasing temperatures and reduced wind speeds, creating hazardous pollution episodes that peak in November. Winter (December-February) presents the most challenging conditions as dense fog, frequent temperature inversions, and domestic heating emissions trap pollutants in a shallow atmospheric layer, with January typically experiencing the worst air quality. Sensitive populations including children, elderly residents, and those with respiratory conditions should minimize outdoor exposure during morning hours in peak pollution months, utilize air purifiers indoors, and schedule essential outdoor activities for midday when pollution dispersion is slightly better. The transitional periods between monsoon and winter require particular vigilance as pollution levels escalate rapidly within weeks.