2018 spring allergy forecast: Pollen levels to soar early in the Southeast; Mid-Atlantic to be spared harsh season
By Jillian MacMath, AccuWeather staff writer
March 14, 2018, 7:58:33 AM EDT
Share this article:
Spring allergies are already making a comeback in the United States, as grass and tree pollen work their way south to north across the East.
Allergy season started early across Florida and Georgia, where high and very high pollen counts are being recorded.
Pollen is likely to continue in these areas for much of spring with some high pollen days occurring now through April, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alan Reppert.
“The highest pollen area is predicted over the Florida Panhandle into southern Georgia early in the season,” Reppert said.
The northward progression of these allergens will be slowed by several weeks, as wetter-than-normal weather grips the Carolinas and into Tennessee and Kentucky in March.
Delays to the allergy season are also likely across the Ohio River Valley, Alabama and Mississippi, as above-normal precipitation occurs and temperatures are slower to climb.
There is some good news in store for sufferers in the mid-Atlantic, where rainfall and temperatures are forecast to delay the growing season of pollen-producing plants.
“The pollen levels may take until April or even early May to really increase over parts of Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey,” Reppert said.
RELATED:
2018 US Spring forecast
5 hacks to keep outdoor allergy symptoms at bay this spring
2018 US spring forecast: Cold, snow to linger in Northeast; Severe storms to kick off early in South
How does weather influence your allergy symptoms?
Attending the National Cherry Blossom Festival: What you need to know about the peak bloom date
In early June, tree pollen will be coming to a peak over northern New York and into New England.
“This should combine with normal rainfall to make for some high pollen days, especially later in May,” Reppert said.
At the same time, tree pollen in much of the Southeast will be replaced by grass pollen.
This will also begin to dominate in the mid-Atlantic, where high levels will disturb allergy sufferers for a few days.
By June, grass pollen will be kept at bay by above-average rainfall, yielding relief for allergy sufferers from Indiana and Michigan into the mid-Atlantic, he said.
More Weather News
-
Improved air quality may come to parts of northern India this week
Weather News - January 20, 2019, 10:25:17 AM EST
Out of season rain moving into northwestern India this week may improve air quality in areas from New Delhi, Jaipur, Agra and Lucknow.
-
Ice storm strikes New England; Snowstorm tops a foot across the interior
Weather News - January 20, 2019, 10:26:05 AM EST
A major winter storm continues to create travel nightmares and a risk of power outages in the northeastern United States with an ice storm across southern New England and feet of snow to the north.
-
Reports: Ice storm creates treacherous travel in New England as temperatures plummet across snow-covered Northeast
Weather News - January 20, 2019, 10:37:55 AM EST
The snowstorm that caused nearly a thousand flights to be canceled at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport is expected to bring difficult and dangerous travel to a large swath of the Northeast through at least Sunday.
-
2 dead after 6.7 magnitude earthquake hits Chile's coast
Weather News - January 20, 2019, 9:34:23 AM EST
Damage has been reported after a strong magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck near Coquimbo in central Chile, prompting a tsunami warning that was canceled a short time later, officials say.
-
Damage from possible tornado reported in Wetumpka, Alabama
Weather News - January 20, 2019, 7:48:57 AM EST
Severe thunderstorms rumbled across the Deep South on Saturday afternoon, with one storm producing a potential tornado that caused extensive damage in the town of Wetumpka, Alabama.
-
Midwestern US: Wind-swept snow, treacherous travel to focus from Ohio to Kentucky into Saturday night
Weather News - January 20, 2019, 2:49:17 AM EST
Despite rain starting the weekend across the Ohio Valley, plummeting temperatures will return snow, treacherous travel and frigid conditions through Saturday night.
-
Kansas City Chiefs superfan shares tips on how to stay warm during frigid NFL games
Weather News - January 19, 2019, 4:07:20 PM EST
Superfan Chris Stone has plenty of advice for how to prepare for a freezing cold game.
-
Brutal cold to endanger those left stranded, without power in wake of major northeastern US winter storm
Weather News - January 20, 2019, 10:24:57 AM EST
A polar plunge of brutal cold is following this weekend’s blockbuster winter storm, which can threaten lives and complicate travel and cleanup efforts.
-
Improved air quality may come to parts of northern India this week
Weather News - January 20, 2019, 10:25:17 AM EST
Out of season rain moving into northwestern India this week may improve air quality in areas from New Delhi, Jaipur, Agra and Lucknow.
-
Ice storm strikes New England; Snowstorm tops a foot across the interior
Weather News - January 20, 2019, 10:26:05 AM EST
A major winter storm continues to create travel nightmares and a risk of power outages in the northeastern United States with an ice storm across southern New England and feet of snow to the north.
-
Reports: Ice storm creates treacherous travel in New England as temperatures plummet across snow-covered Northeast
Weather News - January 20, 2019, 10:37:55 AM EST
The snowstorm that caused nearly a thousand flights to be canceled at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport is expected to bring difficult and dangerous travel to a large swath of the Northeast through at least Sunday.
-
2 dead after 6.7 magnitude earthquake hits Chile's coast
Weather News - January 20, 2019, 9:34:23 AM EST
Damage has been reported after a strong magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck near Coquimbo in central Chile, prompting a tsunami warning that was canceled a short time later, officials say.
-
Damage from possible tornado reported in Wetumpka, Alabama
Weather News - January 20, 2019, 7:48:57 AM EST
Severe thunderstorms rumbled across the Deep South on Saturday afternoon, with one storm producing a potential tornado that caused extensive damage in the town of Wetumpka, Alabama.
-
Midwestern US: Wind-swept snow, treacherous travel to focus from Ohio to Kentucky into Saturday night
Weather News - January 20, 2019, 2:49:17 AM EST
Despite rain starting the weekend across the Ohio Valley, plummeting temperatures will return snow, treacherous travel and frigid conditions through Saturday night.
-
Kansas City Chiefs superfan shares tips on how to stay warm during frigid NFL games
Weather News - January 19, 2019, 4:07:20 PM EST
Superfan Chris Stone has plenty of advice for how to prepare for a freezing cold game.
-
Brutal cold to endanger those left stranded, without power in wake of major northeastern US winter storm
Weather News - January 20, 2019, 10:24:57 AM EST
A polar plunge of brutal cold is following this weekend’s blockbuster winter storm, which can threaten lives and complicate travel and cleanup efforts.
TRENDING NOW
Reports: Ice storm creates treacherous travel in New England as temperatures plummet across snow-covered Northeast
The snowstorm that caused nearly a thousand flights to be canceled at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport is expected to bring difficult and dangerous travel to a large swath of the Northeast through at least Sunday.
Read Story
Why this Sunday's total lunar eclipse is called the 'super blood wolf moon'
The moon will turn red over the United States on Sunday night during the last total lunar eclipse of the decade.
Read Story
Comments
Comments that don't add to the conversation may be automatically or manually removed by Facebook or AccuWeather. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.