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Palanga, a coastal city in Lithuania’s Palangos Miestas municipality, occupies a unique geographic position on the Baltic Sea’s eastern shore. Its coordinates (55.9167, 21.0667) place it within a relatively flat, low-lying terrain, characteristic of the West Lithuanian Lowland. The city’s elevation averages around sea level, contributing to limited natural dispersion of pollutants. The immediate landscape is dominated by sandy beaches, pine forests – part of the larger Palanga Forest – and dune systems. This proximity to the sea is a defining feature, influencing local climate and air circulation patterns. While Palanga is primarily a resort town, the surrounding region features agricultural land, particularly to the east, and some smaller-scale industrial activity concentrated further inland around Klaipėda. The urban-rural gradient is fairly sharp; the city centre is densely populated, transitioning quickly to forested areas and agricultural fields. This gradient impacts air quality, as pollutants generated within Palanga can be diluted by prevailing winds from the sea, but also potentially trapped by temperature inversions common in coastal areas, especially during calmer weather. The Baltic Sea itself, while providing a source of clean air, can also contribute to salt aerosol concentrations, impacting visibility and potentially exacerbating respiratory conditions. The city’s layout, with a concentrated tourist zone, further influences localised pollution hotspots.

Palanga’s air quality follows a distinct seasonal pattern, heavily influenced by meteorological conditions and tourist activity. Spring (March-May) sees a gradual improvement after winter, with increased rainfall washing away accumulated pollutants, but pollen counts begin to rise, impacting allergy sufferers. Summer (June-August) is typically the period of best air quality, benefiting from prevailing westerly winds bringing clean air from the Baltic Sea, and higher temperatures promoting dispersion. However, the influx of tourists significantly increases traffic and localised emissions, creating temporary pollution spikes near the beach and main thoroughfares. Autumn (September-November) brings increased humidity and the potential for temperature inversions, trapping pollutants closer to the ground. This, combined with the burning of agricultural waste in surrounding areas, can lead to poorer air quality. Winter (December-February) is characterised by low temperatures, reduced sunlight, and often stagnant air masses, resulting in the highest concentrations of particulate matter from heating sources. Sensitive groups – children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions – should limit strenuous outdoor activity during autumn and winter months. Spring and summer offer the most favourable conditions, but even then, monitoring local conditions is advisable. Fog, common in autumn and winter, can exacerbate respiratory issues.