Fall Allergies Are About to Get Worse for Millions of Americans

Brace yourself; fall allergy season is just around the corner. The long-range allergy forecast predicts that weed pollen will be the biggest offender. Here is a closer look at where the allergies will be the worst and when to expect the onslaught of symptoms.

Grass Pollen Forecast Heading Into the Fall

Fall allergy season is slowly starting to ramp up across the U.S. The warm and wet weather that has dominated the eastern U.S. over the last few weeks is already pushing pollen levels up. Grass and weed pollen are typically the biggest culprits in the U.S. as summer comes to an end.

Grass pollen will continue to remain high through the early part of September for most of the country. The toasty overnight temperatures and abundance of moisture in the forecast for the East will keep these levels elevated well into the fall season. This is because the ample moisture works to keep the grass growing, providing a fertile environment for this type of pollen. The highest grass pollen levels are forecast for much of the Midwest, the Northeast, and the mid-Atlantic, including the major metro areas of Chicago, Detroit, New York City, and Philadelphia.

Drier conditions in the western third of the nation could keep grass pollen levels in check, with the exception of heavily irrigated areas. Likewise, the southeastern U.S. should also have enough dry stretches to suppress grass pollen production

What to Expect for Weed Pollen Levels This Fall

Weed pollen will continue to be the most significant fall allergy issue throughout most of the U.S., with some areas seeing high levels through October.  The higher rainfall rates associated with a stronger El Niño will support the development of weed pollen this fall. Forecasters are warning that the highest weed pollen levels will be in the southern Rockies and throughout the Southeast. This will put cities such as Salt Lake City, Denver, Albuquerque, Raleigh, Atlanta, Little Rock, and Nashville in the primary impact zone.  

The forecast of drier weather in the northern tier of the nation will serve to limit weed growth, translating to lower weed pollen levels than what is historically experienced this time of the year.  However, lingering warmth for much of the U.S. could pave the way for pollen spikes at times.

Periodic times of rain may bring brief relief from the pollen at times. That said, the rain also boosts weed production, leading to more long-term issues.

Fall allergy sufferers are being advised to keep windows closed when counts are high. Using an indoor air purifier and air conditioner can remove some of these pollutants in the air. It is also a good idea to change clothes after spending long periods of time outdoors. Showering before bed can help to mitigate the exposure to this allergen. It is also a good idea to keep abreast of current pollen counts before making outdoor plans.

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