Spring Pollen Season: What Allergy Sufferers Need to Know

Why Spring Is the Worst Season for Pollen

Trees pollinate before they leaf out. That means billions of pollen grains are released into the air while branches are still bare and there is nothing to catch them. Wind carries tree pollen for miles, and a single oak tree can produce tens of thousands of pollen grains per day.

Unlike grass and weed pollen, which peak in summer and fall respectively, tree pollen hits hardest when people are ready to spend time outdoors after winter. The timing makes it easy to confuse spring allergies with a lingering cold.

Spring pollen season typically runs from late February in southern states to late May in northern states. The exact timing depends on your region, local tree species, and winter temperatures. A warmer winter often means an earlier, more intense season.

Trees That Cause the Most Allergy Symptoms

Not all trees produce allergenic pollen. The biggest offenders are wind-pollinated species that release fine, lightweight pollen designed to travel through the air. Here are the main culprits tracked by MyPollenPal:

Oak pollen is the biggest driver of spring misery for most of the country. Oak trees are everywhere, they pollinate for weeks at a time, and their pollen counts regularly reach "Very High" levels in southern cities during March and April.

When Does Spring Pollen Season Start (and End)?

Spring pollen season is not one event. Different tree species pollinate in waves, and the timing shifts by region:

• Southern states (Texas, Georgia, Florida, the Carolinas): Tree pollen starts as early as mid-February. Cedar and juniper may start even earlier. Peak is usually March through mid-April.
• Mid-Atlantic and Midwest (Virginia, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri): Season starts mid-March, peaks in April through early May.
• Northeast (New York, New England, Pennsylvania): Season starts late March or early April, peaks in late April through May.
• Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington): Alder and hazel start in February. Birch follows in April. The region has a long, drawn-out tree pollen season.

The best way to know exactly when pollen is high in your area is to check your city's daily pollen report. MyPollenPal tracks tree, grass, and weed pollen daily for thousands of US cities.

Spring Allergy Symptoms vs. a Cold

Spring allergy symptoms overlap with cold symptoms, which is why people often wait too long before managing their allergies. Here is how to tell the difference:

If your symptoms come back every spring, last for weeks, and get worse on warm windy days, that is almost certainly pollen. Checking your local pollen count can confirm it.

How to Manage Spring Pollen Allergies

You cannot avoid pollen entirely, but you can reduce your exposure and treat symptoms before they get bad. Here is what works:

Track pollen levels daily

Pollen counts change significantly from day to day based on weather, wind, and rain. Knowing whether today is a High or Low pollen day helps you decide when to take medication, whether to exercise outdoors, and whether to keep windows open. Check your city's pollen levels on MyPollenPal.

Start antihistamines early

Antihistamines work best when taken before symptoms start. If you know spring pollen affects you, start taking them a week or two before your region's typical season begins. Daily antihistamines like cetirizine (Zyrtec) or loratadine (Claritin) are most effective when taken consistently.

Reduce indoor pollen exposure

• Keep windows closed on High and Very High pollen days
• Shower and change clothes after spending time outdoors
• Run a HEPA air purifier in your bedroom
• Dry laundry in a dryer, not on an outdoor clothesline

Time your outdoor activity

Pollen counts are typically highest in the morning (between 5 AM and 10 AM) and on warm, dry, windy days. If you run, walk, or garden outdoors, late afternoon or after rain are usually better times. Check your city's hourly pollen data to plan around the worst hours.

Use nasal sprays for congestion

Steroid nasal sprays like fluticasone (Flonase) reduce inflammation and are especially effective for nasal congestion and post-nasal drip that antihistamines alone may not fully address. They take a few days to reach full effect, so start early.

What Pollen Levels Mean for Your Symptoms

MyPollenPal rates pollen severity on a scale from None to Very High. Here is what each level typically means for allergy sufferers:

Check Spring Pollen Levels in Your City

Pollen levels vary wildly from city to city. A High pollen day in Atlanta does not mean Houston is also High. The only way to know what is happening where you live is to check your local data.

Here are some of the cities where spring tree pollen hits hardest:

Browse all cities or search by ZIP code to find your local pollen report.

Want to see which cities are getting hit the hardest right now? Check today's worst pollen cities.

Get daily pollen alerts for your city

We send a free email alert whenever pollen is High or Very High in your area. No spam, no daily emails when pollen is low. Just a heads-up on the days that matter.