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Qo‘qon, situated in Uzbekistan's fertile Fergana Valley at coordinates 40.5286°N, 70.9425°E, occupies a strategic position in Central Asia's most densely populated agricultural heartland. The city lies approximately 400 meters above sea level on relatively flat terrain, surrounded by the imposing Tien Shan mountains to the north and the Alay Range to the south, creating a natural basin that profoundly influences air quality dynamics. This topographic enclosure, combined with the valley's limited ventilation pathways, frequently traps pollutants near ground level, exacerbating urban air quality challenges. Qo‘qon's urban character blends historical architecture with Soviet-era industrial development, positioned within Uzbekistan's primary industrial belt where textile manufacturing, chemical production, and food processing facilities contribute to the region's pollution profile. The city's proximity to the Syr Darya River, approximately 15 kilometers to the southwest, provides irrigation for the surrounding cotton fields and orchards but offers minimal moderating effect on air pollution accumulation. The urban-rural gradient reveals a sharp transition from Qo‘qon's compact urban core to expansive agricultural lands, where seasonal burning of crop residues adds particulate matter to the valley's atmospheric mix. This geographic context creates a perfect storm for pollution accumulation—industrial emissions from urban centers combine with agricultural byproducts across the valley floor, all contained by the surrounding mountain barriers that limit pollutant dispersion and frequently create temperature inversion conditions.

Qo‘qon's air quality follows a distinct seasonal rhythm shaped by the Fergana Valley's continental climate and topographic constraints. During winter (December-February), cold air settles in the valley basin, creating persistent temperature inversions that trap pollutants near the surface, resulting in the year's worst air quality episodes—particularly hazardous for children, elderly residents, and those with respiratory conditions who should limit outdoor exposure. Spring (March-May) brings gradual improvement as increasing solar radiation breaks up inversion layers, though March and April see occasional deterioration from agricultural burning and dust storms whipped up by seasonal winds. Summer (June-August) offers the cleanest air despite high temperatures, as thermal convection creates vertical mixing that disperses pollutants, making this the optimal season for outdoor activities, though sensitive groups should still avoid midday exertion during heat waves. Autumn (September-November) begins with relatively good conditions that deteriorate through October and November as temperatures drop, inversion frequency increases, and heating season emissions begin, with November particularly problematic as reduced ventilation combines with increased residential fuel burning. Throughout the year, wind patterns play a crucial role—northerly katabatic winds from the mountains occasionally provide ventilation, while calm periods allow pollution to accumulate. Fog frequently forms in winter months, combining with pollutants to create dense smog episodes that reduce visibility and increase health risks.