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The transition from winter to spring, and eventually summer, is often accompanied by a chorus of sneezes and sniffles. This year, allergy sufferers across the United States have a particular reason for concern. According to meteorologists at AccuWeather, the weather patterns are hinting at an intense allergy season.
“This year will start off much earlier than most years in the East,” warns AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alan Reppert. The tree pollen outbreak could be a month ahead of the usual schedule, and grass pollen is also expected to make an early appearance.
According to Reppert, tree pollen is the first to emerge, followed by grass during the summer, and weed pollen that appears in the late summer and fall.
In 2024, allergy sufferers in the eastern United States, particularly in metropolitan areas such as New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Kansas City, and Denver, may face a potent pollen season.
While the tree pollen intensity may not be as high in Southeast, the season could stretch longer than usual. On the other hand, northern Plains and Pacific Northwest might escape the brunt of tree pollen. However, as the year progresses, other allergens will take over.
As we shift from spring to summer, grass pollen becomes the primary allergen. Reppert predicts an intense and prolonged grass pollen season for the interior Northeast and Midwest, with elevated levels also expected in parts of Washington and Oregon.
There could be some relief from grass pollen along the Atlantic coast, with a potential drop in pollen levels during July and August. The Plains, Rocky Mountains, and Southwest can also expect grass-related pollens to be near or below historical averages.
As the summer transitions into its second half, weed pollen becomes the primary concern. A hyperactive weed pollen season is predicted due to widespread warmth, including in parts of the eastern U.S.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) releases an annual list of cities with the worst allergy conditions. In 2024, Wichita, Kansas, tops the list due to its higher-than-average tree and grass pollen, higher-than-average medicine use, and limited access to allergy specialists.
Here are some tips from Reppert on how people who suffer from seasonal allergies could mitigate the side effects of their allergies:
- Take medicine before the issues begin.
- Try and stay inside in the late morning and afternoon hours.
- On high pollen days, air conditioning can help decrease pollen indoors.
- If allergy issues are not handled by first-line allergy medicines, talk to your doctor about getting allergy testing done with an allergist.
Staying safe during allergy season requires vigilance and proactive measures. Subscribing to hyperlocal severe weather alerts can help you stay ahead of the weather that could potentially aggravate your allergies.
Weather and climate play a crucial role in determining the severity of an allergy season. Understanding these patterns can help in preparing for and managing allergies.
