Monday, April 27, 2015

How Does Day-to-Day Weather Effect Spring Pollen Levels?

Flowing Pear Tree
Tree pollen is starting to read its ugly head.



Levels are running a bit behind last year as of April 27th. Pretty soon, a blanket of yellow or orange will cover everything.


Last Friday (24th), the level was between 1 and 9 grains per cubic meter. Last spring, after the cold and snowy winter of 2013-14, I charted the tree pollen count from early May through early June to see the seasonal trend. Notice how the numbers rose exponentially by the second week of May. The May 14th level of 2310 seems a bit high (it also occurred on a day with little wind) considering the overall levels. It might be a bogus reading.


The levels stayed fairly high with some variation through the end of the month. By early June, tree pollen was on the decline. Grass would replace it.

Did the tree pollen levels fluctuate day-to-day as the average wind speed changed?  The overall pollen count trend seems to stay in lock-step with the winds. As the winds increase, so does the pollen count.


How about temperature versus tree pollen levels AND wind speed?


Keep and eye on the tree pollen count as the winds increase with higher temperatures over the next 2-3 weeks. A few warm and breezy days will drive the tree pollen counts through the roof.

Get ready. Have your antihistamine handy!

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