The arrival of Spring and Pollen’s Impact

As of March 20th,spring has officially sprung,marking the beginning of a challenging period for allergy sufferers. The simultaneous pollination of numerous trees and plants leads to increased pollen counts, triggering seasonal allergies. While initial forecasts suggest a relatively mild allergy season, it is indeed expected to be persistent, particularly in the Mediterranean coastal regions.

Pollen levels and Regional Variations

Current pollen measurements indicate a growing accumulation of pollen in the air. According to recent data, Valencia city recorded 651 pollen grains per cubic meter, with plane tree pollen being particularly prevalent due to delayed pollination from earlier rains. Castellón and Alicante show lower counts, with 488 and 434 grains per cubic meter, respectively.

Factors Influencing Pollen Levels

Allergy experts emphasize the crucial role of recent weather patterns in predicting pollen behavior. Abundant rainfall promotes tree pollination. Initially, there were concerns that a significant spike in pollen would occur if temperatures rose sharply after the rains. Though, cooler-then-average or normal temperatures have mitigated this effect. Moreover, anticipated rainfall may accelerate the settling of pollen grains, potentially reducing airborne concentrations.

The great amount of precipitation accumulated fosters the pollination of the trees… Cooler temperatures than usual or in normal values have mitigated a little this effect.

Climate Change and Prolonged Pollen Seasons

Despite short-term forecasts, rising temperatures during the winter months (December, January, and February) contribute to the persistence of pollen in the air. Trees and plants are releasing spores for extended periods. The region experienced unusually warm winter days, with temperatures reaching up to 27 degrees Celsius in various locations. This trend aligns with broader observations of climate change impacting allergy seasons globally. Studies show that pollen seasons are becoming longer and more intense, affecting millions [[1]]. In the US, over 100 million people experience seasonal allergies each year