In order to clarify the variation of air pollution concentration in Nantong and the relationship between it and meteorological factors, the potential sources of air pollutants transport in Nantong were analyzed. The article with the relevant data on concentrations of targeted atmospheric pollutants and the corresponding meteorological observations collected and analyzed, the hourly, daily, monthly and seasonal characteristics of concentrations of SO2、NO2、CO、O3、PM10 and PM2.5 were determined, as well as relationships between the concentrations and local meteorological conditions. The primary source of the atmospheric pollutants in Nantong was identified by combining HYSPLIT4 model with two typical pollution processes in Nantong. The results showed that the lowest concentrations of SO2、NO2、CO、PM10 and PM2.5 were identified in summer, followed by in autumn, while during spring and winter the concentrations were higher. Concentrations of O3 were higher in spring and summer than in autumn and winter. The average annual emissions of SO2, NO2, CO and O3 were relatively low. Differences in concentrations of these pollutants were determined during various periods of a day, due to the impacts imposed by various meteorological factors. Specifically, O3 concentrations were negatively correlated with NO2 concentrations, and higher O3 concentrations could generally be detected in sunny days with low air pressure and good visibility. However, higher PM2.5 concentrations were related to such meteorological conditions as lower temperature, higher humidity, higher air pressure, lower daily precipitation, lower visibility, and lower wind speed. Meanwhile, NO2 could accumulate easily with low temperature, high humidity, high air pressure, and low wind speed. Significant correlations were found between concentrations of NO2, CO, and O3 and the 6 conventional meteorological elements. The relationship between O3 concentrations and these meteorological elements (with humidity being an exception) was exactly opposite to the other five pollutants. Based on the backward trajectory analysis of the two heavy pollution weather processes, it could be concluded that long-distance transportation from northwest and north directions and regional sources of west and southern air currents might be the primary source of atmospheric pollutants in Nantong.