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Bryansk occupies a strategic position in western Russia's Bryanskaya Oblast', situated approximately 380 kilometers southwest of Moscow near the borders with Belarus and Ukraine. The city lies within the Desna River basin, with the river flowing through its eastern periphery, creating a gentle valley landscape that influences local air circulation patterns. Positioned at an elevation of around 190 meters above sea level on the Central Russian Upland, Bryansk's terrain features rolling hills and forested areas that alternate with urban development, creating a mosaic landscape that affects pollution dispersion. The city serves as a regional industrial and transportation hub, with railway lines and highways converging here, contributing to mobile emission sources. Surrounding Bryansk are extensive mixed forests transitioning to agricultural lands, particularly to the south and east where the terrain flattens toward the Desna floodplain. This urban-rural gradient means the city experiences both localized urban pollution and occasional agricultural burning impacts during certain seasons. The region's position away from major mountain ranges allows for relatively unimpeded air movement, though the river valley can create microclimatic conditions that occasionally trap pollutants. Industrial activities, while not concentrated in a single belt, are distributed throughout the city with manufacturing, food processing, and machinery production being notable. The city's geography—nestled in a river valley with surrounding forests—creates conditions where temperature inversions can develop, particularly during calm winter nights, leading to temporary accumulation of urban emissions from heating, transportation, and industrial sources.

Bryansk experiences distinct seasonal air quality patterns shaped by its continental climate and urban activities. During winter (December-February), cold temperatures increase residential heating demand, primarily from natural gas and some solid fuels, while temperature inversions frequently develop in the river valley, trapping pollutants near the ground. January typically sees the poorest air quality, with limited atmospheric mixing and occasional fog exacerbating particulate matter accumulation. Sensitive groups should limit prolonged outdoor exposure during calm winter mornings. Spring (March-May) brings gradual improvement as increased solar radiation breaks up inversions and precipitation helps cleanse the air, though March can still experience poor conditions from lingering heating emissions and road dust from snowmelt. Summer (June-August) offers the cleanest air overall, with active atmospheric mixing, frequent breezes, and vegetation filtering some pollutants, making this the optimal season for outdoor activities. However, occasional periods of high pressure can lead to ozone formation on hot, sunny days, particularly in July. Autumn (September-November) sees a gradual deterioration as temperatures drop and heating systems restart, with October often marking the transition to winter pollution patterns. Wind patterns generally come from the west and northwest, bringing cleaner air from forested regions, though easterly winds can occasionally transport agricultural or industrial emissions. Sensitive individuals should monitor local air quality reports during seasonal transitions and avoid strenuous outdoor activities during periods of announced poor air quality, particularly in winter and late autumn.