NORTH SOUND, MARCH 30: Are you a North Sound allergy sufferer? You likely already know allergy season has already arrived with sniffles, runny noses and red itchy eyes.
The spring season is getting underway and the sun will make more and more appearances in the weeks ahead with temperatures warming up. Trees and plants are noticing spring has arrived and awakening. But for allergy sufferers, spring means allergy season is here!
If it seems allergy season is starting earlier and earlier, you would be correct. Studies have shown that since the 1950s, summer is now more than 3 weeks longer worldwide, with the fall, winter and spring seasons all shorter in length.
In recent years, it feels like summer in the North Sound gets underway earlier and earlier. For instance just a few years ago in May 2023, temperatures soared up into the mid-80s at Everett – Paine Field in the middle of the month.
Allergy Offenders
Early in the allergy season, trees are the greatest offender as they awaken from their winter slumber. Leaves and blossoms – oh, those blossoms are sprouting, sending their pollen into the air and finding noses. The University of Washington cherry trees are in full bloom, quite picturesque, yet for those with allergies – a real struggle.
The tree pollen season is just getting underway. At this time, the greatest offending trees include hazelnut and birch trees. Cedar and junipers are also getting started. Cottonwood, Poplar, Alder, Willow and Maple trees are next at bat. Later in April and May, Sycamore, Ash and Oak trees will contribute their own pollen.
With longer days, more sunshine, and warmer weather, grasses and weeds will then replace tree pollen and offer their own pollen later this spring and heading into summer.
The Western Washington Advantage
Even though many suffer allergies during spring and summer, the North Sound and the region has a significant advantage when it comes to seasonal allergies – rain. Rain washes away pollen, cleansing the air and offering great relief to allergy sufferers.
The 2026 Asthma and Allergy Foundation Report reviewed data from 100 U.S. cities and three from the Washington State region are listed. Spokane is ranked 9th in the country, Portland/Vancouver sits at number 38, and the Seattle area moved up to 45th from 88th just two years ago.
Boise, Idaho, tops the list at number one in the nation while San Diego, California, is just behind at number 2. Most of the top 20 cities were all from the central plains to the eastern seaboard.
Tracking Pollen Counts
When the region’s weather gets warmer and drier, pollen counts rise. The Northwest Asthma and Allergy Center posts daily pollen counts including the most common offending pollen contributors. The next rainy or even windy day will reduce pollen in the air and offer allergy relief.
Dr. Jan Agosti, an infectious disease specialist affiliated with University of Washington Medicine, offers an idea for allergy sufferers when pollen counts rise. “Face masks. It’s now socially acceptable to wear them and while high filtered masks are best, even plain old cloth ones help”, she noted. “Sunglasses and eyeglasses help, too – anything that keeps it out of your nose and eyes.”
