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Oujda-Angad, situated in northeastern Morocco's Oriental region near the Algerian border, occupies a strategic position at the crossroads of North African trade routes. The city lies on the Angad Plain at approximately 470 meters elevation, flanked by the Beni Snassen Mountains to the north and the arid High Plateaus to the south, creating a semi-enclosed basin that significantly influences air quality patterns. This urban center of 614,000 residents exhibits a distinct urban-rural gradient, with dense urban cores transitioning to agricultural peripheries where olive groves and cereal cultivation dominate. The region's aridity and distance from major water bodies—the Mediterranean Sea lies 60 kilometers north, while the Moulouya River flows 40 kilometers west—contribute to dust accumulation and limited natural air cleansing. Oujda's position as Morocco's eastern gateway fosters transportation corridors with heavy vehicle traffic, while its industrial belt concentrates manufacturing and processing activities along the city's outskirts. The surrounding landscape, characterized by sparse vegetation and seasonal wadis, generates substantial mineral dust that interacts with urban emissions. This geographic configuration creates a natural amphitheater effect where pollutants from urban activities, agricultural burning, and transboundary dust from the Sahara can accumulate under specific meteorological conditions, particularly when mountain barriers inhibit dispersion.

Oujda-Angad experiences distinct seasonal air quality patterns shaped by its Mediterranean-influenced semi-arid climate. During winter (December-February), cooler temperatures and frequent temperature inversions trap pollutants near the surface, particularly during calm nights when heating emissions combine with morning traffic. Spring (March-May) brings variable conditions: March often sees the highest pollution levels as agricultural burning coincides with occasional dust storms from the Sahara, while April-May offers clearer skies with increasing westerly winds. Summer (June-August) presents a paradox—intense sunlight promotes photochemical reactions creating secondary pollutants, yet strong thermal convection and prevailing northerly winds generally provide good dispersion, making early mornings the cleanest time for outdoor activity. Autumn (September-November) begins with relatively good air quality in September before deteriorating through October-November as temperatures drop, atmospheric stability increases, and agricultural residue burning resumes. Sensitive groups—including those with respiratory conditions, children, and the elderly—should minimize outdoor exertion during winter mornings, spring dust events, and periods of agricultural burning. The most favorable months for outdoor activities are typically May, June, and September when ventilation is optimal and specific pollution sources are minimal. Weather hazards like fog occasionally exacerbate pollution episodes by combining moisture with particulate matter, particularly in low-lying areas of the Angad Plain.