AccuWeather Reveals Spring Allergy Forecast For Washington

WASHINGTON — You may find yourself saying “bless you!” a little more often as you walk around town, according to AccuWeather’s 2022 spring allergy forecast, giving Washingtonians a heads-up on what to expect as spring comes into full bloom.

For many, spring is a welcome time of rebirth for many. But we promise you, the budding trees, blooming flowers and fresh green grass all but promise misery, sneezing and suffering for people with seasonal allergies.

AccuWeather said in the forecast released Wednesday that Washington can expect high levels of tree pollen kicking up around April and high levels of grass pollen around mid-June. The Pacific Northwest should see average weed pollen, peaking around August.

Related: Puget Sound Spring Outlook: Slightly Cooler With Average Rain

Fortunately, as The Seattle Times reported this week, Puget Sound often catches a break on seasonal allergies compared to many regions of the United States, largely thanks to the rainfall. This year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation ranked Seattle as the "least challenging" major city to live in for people who struggle with spring and fall allergies.

Tree, grass and weed pollen will likely be about normal in many parts of the country, but there are exceptions. According to AccuWeather:

Tree Pollen

Moderate temperatures and multiple rounds of rain in the Southeast are likely to make tree pollen “worse than anywhere in the country,” especially in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.

Allergy sufferers in the Pacific Northwest can expect a rough season. Moderate temperatures and rainfall in April will create ideal conditions for tree growth, but also pollen, the private weather service said.

In the Northeast, an expected steady rainfall in April and early May stunting pollen growth should lead to an average tree pollen season from the Appalachian Mountains to Maine.

Grass Pollen

Worsening drought conditions will likely make life difficult in Western states — except for allergy sufferers. Grass growth and, thus, pollen levels are hindered by the lack of rainfall and hot air.

In the Central Rockies, grass pollen levels should be about normal with expected tropical moisture and monsoons in the late spring and early summer.

Grass pollen shouldn’t be a problem in the Northeast. With warm weather and sporadic rainfall in the early months, grass won’t grow as quickly.

But for much of the Gulf Coast and the Mississippi and Tennessee valleys, grass pollen could be a huge concern from April to June, according to the forecast.

Weed Pollen

Weed pollen is likely to be a problem along the Eastern Seaboard, as increasing temperatures and moisture create an ideal environment for weeds to grow.

More specifically: Expect an uptick in weed pollen levels at the height of summer in the mid-Atlantic states, and from late summer through early fall in the Northeast.

Weed pollen shouldn’t be much of a problem in Western states due to drought conditions, the forecast says. But as expected drier weather moves into the Northwest in August, weed pollen levels could be average or below average.

Also, expect weed pollen to thrive during monsoon season, which starts in mid-June in the Four Corners area of southwest Colorado, southeast Utah, northeast Arizona and northwest New Mexico.

Check Your Daily Allergy Forecast

Numerous sites across the internet offer weekly or even daily allergy forecasts. An allergy tracker from pollen.com gives you a glimpse of the current allergy forecast according to city and metropolitan area.

Other popular allergy trackers include The Weather Channel and the National Allergy Bureau.

The A To Z Of Allergies

Confused by seasonal allergy lingo? Here are a few keywords to watch for when you find yourself with a case of spring sniffles:

• Allergen: A substance that triggers an allergic reaction in a person who’s sensitive to it.
• Antihistamine: A medication that prevents symptoms such as congestion, sneezing, and itchy, runny nose.
• Decongestant: Medication that shrinks swollen nasal tissues to relieve symptoms such as swelling, congestion and mucus.
• Hay fever: An allergic reaction to pollen from ragweed, grasses and other plants whose pollen spreads on the wind.
• Neti pot: A device that looks like a small teapot, a neti pot is used for nasal irrigation. In other words, it’s used to flush out mucus and other debris from your nose and sinuses to improve breathing.
• Pollen and mold count: A measure of allergen amounts in the air. The counts are usually reported for mold spores and three types of pollen: grasses, trees, and weeds.

Preventing Allergic Reactions

Here are some suggestions to nip allergies in the literal bud, according to the Mayo Clinic:

• Stay indoors on dry, windy days. The best time to go outside is after a good rain, which helps clear pollen from the air.
• Delegate lawn mowing, weed pulling and other gardening chores that stir up allergens.
• Remove clothes you've worn outside and shower to rinse pollen from your skin and hair.
• Don't hang laundry outside — pollen can stick to sheets and towels.
• Wear a pollen mask if you do outside chores.

If Pollen Counts Are High

Here are a few other things you can do to head off an allergic reaction:

• Check the allergy forecast for your town.
• If high pollen counts are forecast, start taking allergy medications before your symptoms start.
• Close doors and windows at night or any other time when pollen counts are high.
• Avoid outdoor activity in the early morning when pollen counts are highest.