Spring has sprung up and many of you have taken in the sun and taken in all that North Carolina has to offer.
Laura Ingalls Wilder once said, “Some old-fashioned things, like fresh air and the sun, are hard to beat.”
Those “old-fashioned” features of spring may be easily adapted for us North Carolinaers, because if there’s one thing that’s certain about spring, it’s pollen.
According to Dr. Robert Bardon, a professor of forest and environmental resources at NC State University, pollen is needed to produce pine seeds that grow to become pines.
The pine pollen season is a reminder of the importance of pine to our state, that it supports the forest industry, which has a $ 32.8 billion impact on North Carolina’s economy.
Bardon also mentioned that the general season of pine pollen can last for weeks. The amount of pine pollen in the atmosphere tends to be highest in the early morning on hot, dry, windy days and lowest in cold and humid periods.
Factors that contribute to pollen season
Climate Central, an independent organization of leading scientists and journalists researching and reporting on climate change, shows that our average daily spring temperature has risen by more than 3 degrees since 1970.
Although it may not seem too impactful, increasing our average daily temperature can increase the growing season, which in turn increases the length of our pollen season. You may notice that a minor change in one aspect of our climate, such as temperature, can have a ripple effect throughout a season, if not for an extended period of time.
Climate Central also pointed out that the impact of climate change on seasonal allergies not only changes the start time or duration of the pollen season, but also intensifies it.
The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has a direct impact on pollen concentrations, as it can stimulate plant growth. Many people may have allergies as a minor inconvenience, but seasonal allergies can have serious consequences and decreased quality of life for those with respiratory problems, such as asthma. With a longer pollen season and high pollen concentrations, asthma and allergic reactions can become even more severe.
So what can we expect?
When we look at the forecasts for the next five days, we see that our temperatures will remain above normal, with dry conditions continuing at least on Friday afternoon. This means that our pollen levels will continue to rise, so keep this in mind if your health is affected by tree pollen.
Fortunately, the scattered rain will return this weekend and this will not only remove some of this pollen from the air, but also from the trees.
The WRAL team of meteorologists is dedicated to learning more about climate change and its impact on our weather in North Carolina.
As always, WRAL is the season to call for the latest pollen levels this spring and when the bad weather could impact your plans.
References: