AccuWeather
By Joe Edwards
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Forecast maps issued by AccuWeather show which states can expect high pollen levels this season, as the outlet said warmer conditions, heavier downpours and longer growing periods would lead to more prolonged and intense allergy seasons.
Sharp swings in pollen levels are likely in the coming weeks, with pollen season already ongoing in portions of the Western and Southern U.S. and warmer air moving northward beginning this week, according to AccuWeather.
The outlet said this year's pollen intensity and variability would hinge on factors such as spring temperatures, shifting storm paths, wind activity and the occurrence of late‑season frost events.
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"Weather conditions in your neighborhood and even hundreds of miles away can significantly influence pollen levels and allergy symptoms," AccuWeather senior meteorologist and allergy expert Alan Reppert said in an email sent to Newsweek on Wednesday.
"Temperature and rainfall determine how much pollen is released and how quickly levels spike. Heavy rain can temporarily clear the air, but just a few dry, breezy days can send counts surging. Strong winds can carry pollen dozens to hundreds of miles, lifting it thousands of feet into the atmosphere before it settles back to the ground," he continued.
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According to AccuWeather, tree pollen season is already underway in parts of the South and West, with levels expected to rise in the weeks ahead. The Ohio Valley is projected to see some of the heaviest bursts this year, particularly after April rainfall, although a late‑season frost could shift the peak.
In the Pacific Northwest, tree pollen is forecast to start earlier than normal and remain elevated for weeks, with Portland and Seattle potentially facing periods of extremely high counts.
AccuWeather also expects parts of New England to see lower‑than‑average levels due to a colder spring with limited rainfall. Ongoing drought, the outlet added, would have minimal impact on tree pollen because many species can store water internally.
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AccuWeather forecasts grass pollen to surge once tree pollen tapers off, with an early-season surge expected across the northern Plains and Great Lakes in June and July.
Cities such as Chicago, St. Louis and Minneapolis could see periods of high to extreme levels during that stretch. Texas may face a brief period of higher‑than‑normal grass pollen, though the overall season there may be shorter than in northern regions, the outlet said.
Meanwhile, parts of Florida, the Gulf Coast and the Southeast are likely to experience below‑average levels due to dry conditions. Warm, dry weather could also limit pollen in the Northwest, though AccuWeather noted that passing rain could still trigger a short‑lived spike.
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AccuWeather said weed pollen—from plants such as ragweed, thistle, sagebrush and mugwort—usually peaks in late summer and early fall, with the Rockies likely facing the highest levels this year.
Cooler conditions from eastern Texas through Kentucky and Alabama may hold weed pollen below typical seasonal averages. In New England, an early stretch of dry weather followed by a quick cooldown later in the season is also projected to limit weed‑pollen production.
Along coastal Washington and Oregon, repeated storms should provide enough moisture for weeds to thrive, though frequent rainfall may still wash pollen out of the air and keep overall counts lower, the outlet said.
"The data is clear, and millions of seasonal allergy sufferers have noticed the changes. The seasonal allergy season in America is expanding at both ends," said AccuWeather climate expert and senior meteorologist Brett Anderson.
He continued: "Milder winters and warmer springs are allowing the growing season to start earlier in many regions. Later frost dates mean the allergy season is ending later in many places. When warmth and moisture align, trees, grass and weeds can produce more pollen more often."
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