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Marāgheh occupies a strategic position in the East Azerbaijan province of northwestern Iran, nestled within the fertile plains south of Lake Urmia at an elevation of approximately 1,450 meters above sea level. This ancient city, historically significant as a medieval scientific center, lies in a basin surrounded by the Sahand volcanic mountain range to the north and east, creating a semi-enclosed topography that significantly influences its air quality. The urban area sits within an agricultural belt known for fruit orchards, vineyards, and grain cultivation, with rural settlements transitioning gradually into the compact urban core characterized by traditional architecture and expanding modern developments. Proximity to Lake Urmia, Iran's largest lake located about 60 kilometers to the west, provides some moderating influence on local climate but minimal cleansing effect on air pollution due to prevailing wind patterns. The city's location in the intermontane basin creates natural ventilation challenges, particularly during temperature inversions that trap pollutants from urban sources like vehicle emissions, residential heating, and small-scale industries. The surrounding mountains act as barriers to wind dispersion, while the agricultural hinterland contributes occasional biomass burning and dust during harvest seasons. This geographic setting creates a microclimate where pollutants accumulate more readily than in more exposed locations, with the urban-rural gradient showing cleaner air in outlying agricultural areas that gradually deteriorates toward the city center.

Marāgheh experiences distinct seasonal air quality patterns shaped by its continental climate and geographic setting. Winter months from December through February typically present the poorest air quality, as temperature inversions become frequent in the basin, trapping cold air and pollutants from heating systems that predominantly burn natural gas and some solid fuels. These stagnant conditions, combined with reduced sunlight hours and occasional fog, create persistent pollution episodes that can last for days. Spring brings gradual improvement from March to May as increasing temperatures break up inversions and occasional rainfall provides natural cleansing, though dust storms from surrounding drylands can cause temporary spikes in particulate matter. Summer offers the cleanest air from June through August, with warmer temperatures reducing heating emissions and stronger daytime convection helping disperse pollutants, though occasional heat waves can increase ground-level ozone formation. Autumn sees a transitional period from September to November, with cooling temperatures gradually reintroducing heating emissions and more stable atmospheric conditions beginning to trap pollutants again. Sensitive groups including those with respiratory conditions, children, and the elderly should limit outdoor exertion during winter mornings and evenings when inversions are strongest, while planning outdoor activities for summer afternoons when dispersion is optimal. Monitoring local weather forecasts for wind patterns and temperature stability provides valuable guidance for daily activity planning throughout the year.