The good news is that the rain often helps reduce pollen levels and temporarily alleviates allergy symptoms.
According to the Allergy and Asthma Center of Boston, early tree pollens stem from poplar, ash, maple and willow trees, typically during March and April.
Pollen from these trees can be “heavy for a brief time,” Dr. Weihong Zheng noted on the center’s site, explaining that intense pollen levels only last about a week or two.
Late-pollinating trees, such as birch and oak, typically trigger high volumes of pollen in May and June, causing severe allergies.
Likewise, late-pollinating grasses generate high pollen levels around the same time from May into June.
Cape Cod, Rhode Island, and southern Connecticut are most likely to face rainfall levels leaning above average for the season.
Experts recommend reducing outdoor time during the early mornings and on dry, windy days when pollen levels are at their highest.
Zheng and other experts recommend the following prevention tips to keep symptoms at bay: Be sure to close windows when pollen levels are high.
Dooley continued, “We’ve had a lot of mid-level troughs setting up across the eastern United States, digging down to the Gulf Coast.”. Imagine troughs that resemble the letter U. Moisture from the Gulf is transported northward by the eastern side of the trough. “.
As a result, we had an exceptionally rainy winter, and this trend has continued into the spring with above-average precipitation. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released weather data showing that since the beginning of the year, rainfall in Boston has been nearly 1.5 times higher than the historical average.
The warmer air has been brought in by upper-level winds mainly from the west to the east, or zonal flow as meteorologists refer to it, because the polar jet stream hasn’t dipped south into the Northeast very often.
According to Matthew Rosencrans, a climate prediction center meteorologist, “it’s been a pretty early blooming because it’s been quite warm.”.
Over much of the Eastern Seaboard, including eastern parts of Massachusetts, leaves have emerged more than two weeks ahead of schedule, according to the USA National Phenology Network’s Spring Leaf Index Anomaly.
As the most significant springtime allergens traditionally peak in the coming months, the weather pattern will likely remain warmer and wetter than average, portending challenging weeks ahead for allergy sufferers.
The good news is that rain can help short-term allergy symptoms by lowering pollen levels. That can help make exercising outside or lounging outside more comfortable following a downpour.
Springtime allergies are mostly caused by grass and trees, though some are stronger pollen producers than others.
The Allergy and Asthma Center of Boston states that poplar, ash, maple, and willow trees are the source of early tree pollen, which is usually released in March and April. On the center’s website, Dr. Weihong Zheng mentioned that the pollen from these trees can be “heavy for a brief time,” meaning that high pollen concentrations are only present for a week or two.
Late-pollinating trees, like oak and birch, usually release large amounts of pollen in May and June, which can lead to serious allergies.
Zheng stated, “Tree pollens are very potent and tend to cause significant clinical symptoms.”.
At roughly the same time in May and June, late-pollinating grasses also produce high pollen counts. But, according to Zheng, weather patterns can stimulate pollen and grass growth in the months prior to and following.
On dry, windy days, early in the morning is usually when counts of grass and tree pollen are at their highest.
Though quickly dissipating, El Niño conditions are not anticipated to have a significant impact on the spring and early summer weather conditions in New England, including temperature and precipitation patterns. By May or June, there is an 85% chance, according to the Climate Prediction Center, of an ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation) neutral climate pattern, which means that neither El Niño nor La Niña will be present. Furthermore, by summer, there’s a 60% chance of switching to La Niña.
In the upcoming weeks, more variables, like the direction of the jet stream, will come into play. Despite weather variations, the overall warmth and near-or above-average rainfall could prolong the growing season and raise pollen counts.
Recently, New England has experienced periods of frost, but as the jet stream shifts from a west-to-east orientation to a northward one in early May, warmer weather is gradually making a comeback. The next week or so will see temperatures that are almost certainly above average.
Much of the Northeast, including Boston and most of Massachusetts, will see above-average temperatures throughout May. Putting that into perspective, May 2 is typically the highest temperature in Boston, reaching a high of 71 degrees by the end of the month.
The Climate Prediction Center indicates that far northern New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine have the highest likelihood of above-average warmth.
A large portion of New England is expected to experience near-average precipitation in May. The regions most likely to experience rainfall that is above average for the season are Cape Cod, Rhode Island, and southern Connecticut. The rest of the region is expected to receive normal amounts of rainfall from May to July, according to the Climate Prediction Center’s forecast.
Princeton, New Jersey-based Climate Central, a nonprofit group of scientists, claims that longer growing seasons are producing more pollen. D. J.
In an analysis of 197 U.S. s. cities, which was made public in late March, the group came to the conclusion that “our warming climate is linked to earlier springs, longer pollen seasons, and worse seasonal allergies.”. “.
Since 1970, Boston’s allergy season has lasted two weeks longer due to an increase of 14 days in the growing season with freeze-free weather, according to Climate Central.
Allergy symptoms affect slightly more than 25% of adult U.S. population; primary care physicians or allergists can suggest ways to prevent and manage symptoms. s. and almost one in five kids, as per the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
There are various actions people can take to limit their exposure to pollen, starting with monitoring pollen forecasts, in addition to seeking medical care. Experts advise against spending as much time outside in the early morning and on windy, dry days when pollen counts are at their peak.
In addition to other easy steps, HEPA filters can help reduce pollen in homes.
To avoid symptoms, Zheng and other professionals advise taking the following preventative measures:.
When pollen counts are high, make sure to close windows.
Try to avoid being outside in the heat as much as you can.
Take a shower either at night to remove pollen before bed or after outdoor activities.
To reduce allergens, dry your clothes in the machine.
When going outdoors, cover your hair and wear sunglasses.
Wash linens once a week in hot, soapy water.
While mowing the lawn, put on a mask.
Meteorologist and consultant Meghan Mussoline has private sector experience.
