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Horlivka is situated in eastern Ukraine's Donetska Oblast, positioned at coordinates 48.3000°N, 38.0500°E within the Donbas region's industrial heartland. The city occupies a transitional zone between the Donetsk Ridge's northern slopes and the vast steppe plains extending southward, creating a varied terrain with elevations ranging from approximately 200 to 250 meters above sea level. This elevated position provides some natural ventilation but is insufficient to fully disperse pollutants generated by the city's dense urban fabric and surrounding industrial activities. Horlivka lies approximately 45 kilometers northeast of Donetsk, placing it firmly within the Donetsk–Makiivka–Horlivka urban-industrial conurbation, one of Eastern Europe's most significant manufacturing and mining clusters. The city's geography features no major water bodies nearby, with only small rivers like the Krynka flowing through the area, limiting natural air purification through evaporation and humidity regulation. Surrounding landscapes include both urbanized industrial zones and agricultural steppe, creating a stark urban–rural gradient where pollution plumes from factories and residential heating systems interact with dust from agricultural activities. The region's underlying geology contains rich coal seams that have historically driven industrial development, while the terrain's gentle slopes contribute to occasional temperature inversions that trap pollutants near ground level, particularly during calm weather conditions.

In Horlivka's continental climate, air quality follows distinct seasonal patterns shaped by meteorological conditions and human activities. Winter months from December through February typically experience the poorest air quality due to increased residential heating emissions from coal and natural gas combustion combined with frequent temperature inversions that trap pollutants in the lower atmosphere. Cold, stagnant air masses create persistent haze layers, making these months particularly challenging for individuals with respiratory conditions who should limit prolonged outdoor exposure. Spring brings gradual improvement as temperatures rise and precipitation increases, with March and April seeing more frequent winds that help disperse accumulated pollutants, though agricultural burning in surrounding rural areas can cause temporary spikes in particulate matter. Summer offers the cleanest air overall from June through August, with warmer temperatures reducing heating emissions and convective atmospheric mixing enhancing pollutant dispersion, making this the optimal season for outdoor activities. However, occasional heat waves can elevate ground-level ozone formation, particularly on sunny, windless days. Autumn sees a gradual deterioration from September through November as heating systems restart and atmospheric stability increases, with October often marking the transition to winter pollution patterns. Sensitive groups including children, elderly residents, and those with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions should monitor local air quality reports year-round and consider indoor air filtration during peak pollution periods.