Studies of the transformation of steam-water emissions of a cooling tower in the ambient atmospheric environment, depending on meteorological factors, is carried out. It is revealed that the structure of the steam-water plume is heterogeneous. There are three zones in which the character of thermo-aerodynamic processes and their flow conditions change significantly: the zone of active aerodynamic processes, the transition zone, and the flare zone. It is established that dilution of the steam-water plume with polluted air is carried out throughout the volume due to its turbulence. Using the above methodological developments allows determining the main design parameters of the cooling tower steam-water plum, in particular, temperature and humidity conditions.