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Notsé is situated within the Plateaux region of Togo, acting as a vital socio-cultural hub for the Ewe people. Geographically, the city is characterized by an undulating landscape, typical of the Togolese highlands, where gentle slopes and fertile valleys define the terrain. Unlike the coastal humidity of Lomé, Notsé experiences a more continental tropical climate, positioned far enough inland to be influenced by the interior savannahs. The urban character is predominantly low-density, blending modest residential clusters with sprawling agricultural zones. This urban-rural gradient means that the city's edges are porous, seamlessly transitioning into forests and small-scale farms. The surrounding landscape is dominated by tropical vegetation and subsistence crops, which play a dual role in air quality. While the dense greenery acts as a natural carbon sink and filters particulate matter, the seasonal practice of slash-and-burn agriculture introduces significant quantities of smoke into the local atmosphere. Because Notsé sits at a moderate elevation within the Plateaux, it is subject to localized wind patterns that can either disperse pollutants or trap them within the valley depressions during temperature inversions. There are no major industrial belts here, meaning the primary pollution sources are non-industrial. The absence of large bodies of water nearby prevents the moderating maritime effect, leading to sharper temperature fluctuations that directly influence the stability of the boundary layer and the concentration of ground-level pollutants. The red laterite soils, common in this region, further contribute to airborne dust during the peak of the dry season.

Notsé’s air quality is dictated by the rhythmic oscillation between the wet and dry seasons of the tropical savanna climate. During the primary dry season, particularly from November to February, the city is besieged by the Harmattan. This northeasterly trade wind carries vast quantities of mineral dust from the Sahara Desert, leading to a significant spike in particulate matter. During these months, visibility drops, and the air becomes heavy with fine silica, making it the most hazardous period for those with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Conversely, the onset of the rainy seasons, typically peaking in June and October, provides a natural atmospheric scrubbing effect. Precipitation washes aerosols and dust from the sky, resulting in the cleanest air of the year. However, the transition periods are precarious; as the first rains arrive, farmers often engage in land clearing, creating localized smoke plumes from biomass burning. Temperature inversions are most common in the cool mornings of December, trapping smoke from domestic charcoal fires near the ground. Sensitive groups, including children and the elderly, should limit outdoor exertion during the Harmattan peak and the early morning hours of the dry season. To optimize health, outdoor activities are best scheduled during the humid months of July and August. By understanding these meteorological shifts, residents can better navigate the seasonal fluctuations in air purity, balancing the beauty of the Plateaux with the realities of regional dust patterns.