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Nestled in north-central Morocco's Fès-Meknès region, Meknès occupies a strategic position at the foothills of the Middle Atlas Mountains, approximately 60 kilometres west of Fès and 130 kilometres east of the Atlantic coast. The city sits at an elevation of around 550 metres above sea level on a plateau, with the Boufekrane River flowing through its urban core, historically providing water but now contributing minimally to air quality modulation. Meknès' geography creates a distinct urban-rural gradient: the compact medina (old city) transitions to French-colonial era neighbourhoods and modern suburbs, surrounded by fertile agricultural plains known for olive groves, vineyards, and cereal crops. This agricultural belt, particularly during harvest and burning seasons, can contribute particulate matter to the urban atmosphere. The city's location inland shields it from direct maritime influences, though occasional Atlantic weather systems penetrate via river valleys. The surrounding terrain—rolling hills to the north and the more rugged Middle Atlas to the south—can trap pollutants under stable atmospheric conditions, especially during winter. Urban pollution sources are typical of a mid-sized Moroccan city: vehicular emissions from aging fleets, residential heating with solid fuels in colder months, and dust from unpaved areas and construction. The lack of heavy industry nearby spares Meknès from industrial smog, but its position as a regional administrative and commercial hub concentrates traffic-related emissions in the city centre.

Meknès experiences a Mediterranean climate with continental influences, shaping distinct seasonal air quality patterns. In winter (December-February), cooler temperatures and frequent temperature inversions trap pollutants near the surface, particularly from residential heating with wood or coal, leading to the year's worst air quality; sensitive groups like asthmatics should limit outdoor exertion on calm, cold mornings. Spring (March-May) brings improvement as increased rainfall scavenges particulates and winds disperse pollutants, though agricultural burning in surrounding plains can cause sporadic haze in April—outdoor activities are generally favourable, especially after rains. Summer (June-August) sees hot, dry conditions with strong northerly winds that keep pollution levels low despite high ozone precursors from traffic; however, dust from Saharan intrusions (the Chergui wind) can occasionally elevate particulate levels, making early mornings best for exercise. Autumn (September-November) begins with clean air post-summer winds, but as temperatures drop and winds calm, pollution gradually accumulates, peaking in late November; this transition period requires vigilance for respiratory patients. Overall, pollution troughs occur in late spring and early summer, while peaks cluster in winter and late autumn, driven by meteorological stagnation rather than monsoons or fog, which are rare here.