Spring has arisen, and many of you have taken in the sun and taken in all that spring has to offer in North Carolina.
Laura Ingalls Wilder once said, “Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat.”
Those ‘old-fashioned’ characteristics of spring may need to be slightly adjusted for us North Caroliners, because if there’s anything certain about spring, it’s pollen.
According to Dr. Robert Bardon, a professor of forestry and environmental resources at NC State University, pollen is needed for the production of pine seeds that grow into pine trees.
Pine pollen season is a reminder of the importance of the pine tree to our state, that it supports the forest industry, which has a $ 32.8 billion impact on North Carolina’s economy.
Bardon also mentions that the overall season for pine pollen can last weeks. The amount of pine pollen in the atmosphere is usually highest in the early morning on hot, dry, windy days and lowest during cold, wet periods.
Contributing factors to the pollen season
Climate Central, an independent organization of leading scientists and journalists who investigate and report the facts about our changing climate, shows that our average daily spring temperature has increased by more than 3 degrees since 1970.
While it may not seem too striking, the increase in our daily average temperature can increase the growing season, which in turn increases the length of our pollen season. You can see that a slight change in one aspect of our climate, such as the temperature, can have a ripple effect throughout an entire season, even if not for a long time.
Climate Central also pointed out that the effects of climate change on seasonal allergies not only change the onset time or length of the pollen season, but also increase it.
The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere directly affects pollen concentrations because it can stimulate plant growth. Many people may experience allergies as a minor discomfort, but seasonal allergies can have serious consequences and have a reduced quality of life for those with breathing problems. With a longer pollen season and high pollen concentrations, asthma and allergic reactions can get even worse.
So, what can we expect?
If we look at the forecast for the next five days, we see that our temperatures will remain above normal with dry conditions continuing at least Friday afternoon. This means that our pollen levels will remain high, so keep this in mind if your health is affected by tree pollen.
Fortunately, scattered rain is coming back this weekend, and it will not only knock some of this pollen out of the air, but also from the trees.
WRAL’s team of meteorologists is committed to learning more about our changing climate and its impact on our weather in North Carolina.
As always, WRAL is the station to check for the latest pollen levels this spring and when inclement weather can affect your plans.
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