Published 30 days ago • loading... • Updated 30 days ago

Longer growing season means more pollen — and more misery

Climate Central released new data showing longer, intensifying U.S. pollen seasons, and many seasonal allergy sufferers are already sniffling this spring.
Because springs are arriving earlier, Shel Winkley said 'Warming temperatures are helping make allergy season start earlier, last longer and really just feel worse', and in nearly nine in ten of the 198 U.S. cities analyzed, the freeze-free growing season has stretched about three weeks longer than in the 1970s.
The biggest regional changes show the northwest region's pollen season is about 31 days longer on average and the southwest region's about 22 days longer, while ragweed peaks in September–October nationwide.
A 2022 study projects the U.S. could face up to a 200% increase in pollen production by century’s end, while about 1 in 5 U.S. children have seasonal allergies and 6.5% have asthma.
Climate Central warns heat-trapping pollution boosts pollen levels and likely worsens the trend; parents and caregivers should limit outdoor exposure, use HEPA filters and support carbon pollution cuts.

Insights by Ground AI