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Daugavpils sits as the strategic sentinel of southeastern Latvia, serving as the primary urban hub of the Latgale region. Perched along the banks of the Daugava River, the city's layout is inextricably linked to this powerful waterway, which carves a wide valley through the predominantly flat terrain of the East European Plain. The urban fabric is characterized by a blend of industrial zones and residential districts, creating a distinct urban-rural gradient where the city center transitions rapidly into expansive agricultural belts and dense mixed-forests. Geographically, the city lies at a modest elevation, which contributes to a propensity for atmospheric stagnation. The surrounding landscape, dominated by peatlands and riverine floodplains, enhances local humidity and influences the movement of air masses. This specific positioning makes Daugavpils susceptible to the accumulation of pollutants, as the river valley can act as a conduit or a trap depending on the prevailing wind directions. The intersection of heavy rail infrastructure and road networks further complicates the local air profile, introducing consistent nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter from transit. As a regional center, the city's industrial legacy persists in its zoning, where remnants of manufacturing clusters remain adjacent to residential areas. This proximity ensures that the urban heat island effect is localized, while the surrounding rural greenery provides a vital carbon sink, though the balance shifts precariously during periods of low wind speed and high atmospheric pressure levels that often characterize the region's stagnant winter weather, trapping emissions within the basin and reducing the overall air quality.

The air quality in Daugavpils follows a rhythmic, seasonal pulse dictated by the harsh Baltic climate and local heating habits. Winter is the most challenging period, typically peaking between December and February. During these months, the widespread use of solid fuels—including wood and coal—for residential heating releases significant concentrations of particulate matter. This is exacerbated by frequent temperature inversions, where a layer of warm air traps cold, polluted air near the ground, preventing vertical dispersion. Spring brings a transition; as the frost thaws, the air clears, though the arrival of pollen and wind-borne dust from agricultural fields can irritate sensitive respiratory systems. Summer represents the atmospheric zenith, with the Daugavpils breeze and the cooling influence of the Daugava River facilitating the dispersal of pollutants, making June and July the ideal months for outdoor exertion. However, autumn introduces a new set of complexities. As October and November arrive, the return of dampness and frequent fog events can encapsulate urban emissions, while the premature start of the heating season triggers an early rise in smog. For sensitive groups, including asthmatics and the elderly, the winter inversion periods are critical windows for caution, necessitating the use of air purifiers and reduced outdoor activity. Monitoring the wind direction is essential, as easterly flows often bring continental pollutants, whereas westerly winds from the Atlantic typically scrub the city clean, restoring the crisp, fresh quality associated with the Latvian highlands and the vast, open spaces of the Latgale region, ensuring that summer remains the healthiest season.