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Dorohoi sits within the undulating landscape of the Moldavian Plateau in northeastern Romania. Its position is defined by gentle hills and wide valleys, creating a terrain that lacks the high-altitude barriers found in the Carpathians but offers enough topographic variation to influence local wind flow. As a significant urban center within the Botoșani region, the city acts as a transitional node between intensive agricultural zones and localized residential clusters. The surrounding landscape is dominated by vast stretches of arable land, primarily dedicated to cereal and oilseed crops, which dictates the regional atmospheric chemistry. Unlike heavy industrial hubs, Dorohoi’s air quality profile is more closely tied to its proximity to these expansive agricultural belts and the rural-urban interface. The relatively low elevation and the open, rolling terrain allow for moderate air circulation, yet the lack of significant forest cover in the immediate vicinity means there is minimal natural filtration for particulate matter. The urban character is defined by a compact core surrounded by a sprawling agricultural periphery, creating a gradient where local emissions from domestic heating and small-scale commercial activities interact with seasonal agricultural dust and organic aerosols. This geographic setting means that while large-scale industrial smog is rare, the city remains sensitive to the dispersion of particulates carried from the surrounding countryside and the localized effects of biomass combustion during colder months. The terrain effectively shapes the movement of air and dictates how pollutants settle within the urban area, making the local atmospheric conditions highly dependent on the surrounding landscape.

The atmospheric rhythm of Dorohoi shifts significantly with the passage of the seasons, driven by the temperate-continental climate of northeastern Romania. During the spring and summer months, the air is generally characterized by higher dispersion due to convective mixing and moderate winds, making these the optimal periods for outdoor recreation. However, late spring can see localized spikes in particulate matter as agricultural activities intensify and stubble burning becomes common in the surrounding Moldavian Plateau. As autumn transitions into winter, the air quality profile undergoes a dramatic transformation. The arrival of cold, stable air masses often triggers temperature inversions, where a layer of warm air traps pollutants near the ground, particularly within the city’s depressions. During these months, the reliance on solid fuels—such as wood or coal—for domestic heating significantly increases concentrations of fine particulate matter. Winter mornings are frequently shrouded in dense fog, which can exacerbate the concentration of respiratory irritants. For sensitive groups, including children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing cardiovascular or respiratory conditions, the period from late November through February requires heightened vigilance. It is advisable to limit strenuous outdoor activities during early morning hours when inversions are most potent. Conversely, the late summer and early autumn periods offer the clearest air, provided that wind speeds remain consistent. Monitoring local meteorological shifts is essential to navigating the seasonal interplay of agricultural dust and domestic heating emissions. This cycle remains predictable for the entire community and should be considered when planning outdoor events throughout the year in Dorohoi.