Pollen count, decoded. The sneeze number.
Some days the sky looks perfect and your nose disagrees. The pollen count is the number behind that disagreement — how much pollen is floating in the air you are about to walk through, and whether today is a windows-open day or a shower-after-you-get-home day.
WHAT IT ACTUALLY MEASURES.
Grains of pollen, counted from the air.
A pollen count measures how many grains of pollen are in a given volume of air, usually collected over 24 hours. Tree pollen rules spring, grass pollen rules late spring and summer, and ragweed rules fall — so high pollen means something different in April than it does in September. The count is reported as low, moderate, high, or very high, and the exact thresholds vary by pollen type and by the source reporting it.
READING THE LEVELS.
Low means go. Very high means plan.
Low means most people feel fine outside. Moderate means sensitive people start noticing it — itchy eyes, a scratchy throat. High means symptoms are likely for anyone with pollen allergies, and outdoor plans deserve a second thought. Very high means even a short walk can set symptoms off, and it is the day to take the allergy plan seriously before heading out.
PLANNING AROUND IT.
Weather moves pollen. Use that.
Dry, warm, windy days spread pollen far and push counts up; rain washes pollen out of the air and usually brings counts down, at least for a while. Counts are often highest in the morning, so an afternoon outing can feel easier than a dawn one. Check the count, then check Brzzy’s activity ratings to pick the hour — and the plan — that actually feels good.
Frequently asked questions
What is pollen count?
A pollen count measures how many grains of pollen are in a given volume of air, usually over 24 hours. It is reported as low, moderate, high, or very high, and thresholds vary by pollen type and reporting source.
What pollen count is considered high?
High means symptoms are likely for anyone with pollen allergies, and very high means even a short time outside can set symptoms off. The exact grain numbers behind each label vary by pollen type and source.
When is pollen count highest?
Counts are often highest in the morning, and dry, warm, windy days push them up. Rain usually washes pollen out of the air and brings counts down for a while.
What helps on a high pollen day?
Keep windows closed, change clothes and shower after spending time outside, and plan outdoor time for the afternoon rather than the morning when counts are often lower. Talk to a clinician about allergy medication rather than guessing.
Does Brzzy show the pollen count?
Brzzy shows your local forecast with hourly updates, live radar, severe weather alerts, GIF forecasts, and activity ratings that weigh the sky for your plans. Brzzy is free to download on iPhone.
More from Brzzy: Full weather glossary Activity ratings How to check the weather
