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Busaar is situated within the Gedo region of southwestern Somalia, occupying a strategic yet remote position in a semi-arid landscape characterized by vast, undulating plains. The town serves as a critical node in a region defined by its proximity to the borders of Ethiopia and Kenya, where the terrain is largely flat with sparse vegetation and sandy soils. This geographic openness makes Busaar particularly susceptible to aeolian processes, where strong winds transport significant quantities of mineral dust from the surrounding arid hinterlands into the urban core. The urban character of Busaar is that of a burgeoning trade and livestock hub, where the rural-urban gradient is blurred by the constant movement of pastoralists. There is a lack of heavy industrialization, meaning that the primary atmospheric contributors are not chemical effluents but rather particulate matter from unpaved roads and livestock activity. Its elevation is relatively low, allowing for the accumulation of surface-level pollutants during periods of atmospheric stability. The proximity to seasonal river systems and intermittent watercourses influences local humidity, though the dominant influence remains the dry, dusty environment. Because the town is nestled in a region of low topographic relief, there are few natural barriers to block wind-borne pollutants, ensuring that air quality is directly tied to the regional weather patterns and the stability of the soil. The interplay between the sparse scrubland and the town's expanding footprint creates a precarious balance of dust suspension, directly impacting the respiratory health of residents.

In Busaar, air quality is governed by the alternating cycles of the Gu and Deyr rainy seasons and the harsh dry spells of Jilal and Xagaa. During the dry Jilal season, typically from December to March, pollution peaks as the atmosphere becomes extremely arid. Strong, hot winds whip across the Gedo plains, lifting massive amounts of particulate matter into the air, creating a haze of mineral dust that lingers over the town. This is the most hazardous period for those with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as the lack of moisture allows fine particles to penetrate deep into the lungs. Conversely, the Gu rains from April to June provide a natural scrubbing effect, where precipitation washes pollutants from the sky and dampens the soil, leading to the cleanest air of the year. As the Xagaa dry season returns, temperatures rise and wind patterns shift, bringing intermittent dust storms. The Deyr rains in October and November offer another temporary reprieve, though the transition periods are often marked by temperature inversions that trap biomass smoke from cooking fires near the ground. Sensitive groups, including children and the elderly, should limit outdoor exertion during the peak of Jilal and the hottest days of Xagaa. Wearing protective masks during dust storms is highly recommended. The seasonal rhythm thus dictates a cycle of respiratory stress and recovery, closely tied to the arrival of the rains.