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Cherepovets, situated in Russia's Vologodskaya Oblast' within Europe, occupies a strategic position on the banks of the Sheksna River, a tributary of the Volga River system, approximately 120 kilometers southeast of Lake Onega. This industrial city lies within the vast East European Plain, characterized by flat to gently rolling terrain with an average elevation of around 130 meters above sea level, which contributes to stagnant air conditions that can trap pollutants. The urban area is surrounded by extensive boreal forests (taiga) and agricultural zones, creating a distinct urban-rural gradient where industrial emissions contrast sharply with cleaner rural air. Cherepovets is part of Russia's northwestern industrial belt, home to the massive Severstal steel plant—one of Europe's largest—which dominates the city's economy and emission profile. The city's location along the Sheksna River facilitates industrial transport but also means water bodies do little to disperse pollutants due to the region's generally low wind speeds. Proximity to the White Sea-Baltic watershed influences humidity patterns, while the flat landscape allows pollutants from the steel complex, power plants, and urban traffic to accumulate rather than disperse, particularly during temperature inversions common in this continental climate zone. The urban fabric mixes Soviet-era industrial districts with residential areas, often placing populations close to emission sources, exacerbating exposure risks.

In Cherepovets, air quality follows a distinct seasonal pattern shaped by its continental climate and industrial activity. Winter (December-February) brings the worst pollution episodes, as cold temperatures increase heating demand—often met by coal and biomass—while frequent temperature inversions trap emissions from the Severstal plant and urban sources near the ground, creating persistent smog; sensitive groups like asthmatics should limit outdoor exertion during these months. Spring (March-May) sees gradual improvement as temperatures rise and increased wind dispersal helps clear pollutants, though melting snow can stir up dust and industrial residues, making late spring more favourable for outdoor activities. Summer (June-August) offers the cleanest air, with higher temperatures reducing heating emissions and more active atmospheric mixing, though occasional heatwaves can elevate ozone levels from industrial precursors, warranting caution on stagnant days. Autumn (September-November) marks a transition, with cooling temperatures and reduced daylight leading to rising heating emissions and more frequent fog, which can combine with industrial pollutants to form haze; by late autumn, pollution begins to climb toward winter peaks. Throughout the year, wind patterns from the northwest occasionally bring cleaner air from forested areas, but prevailing calm conditions mean pollutants often linger, making weather forecasts for wind and inversion events crucial for planning outdoor activities.