Beware the Ides of March, as tree buds appear, temperatures rise and winter hibernation ends.
Connecticut’s spring pollen season typically begins in mid-March. However, this week we will seeing temperatures in the 40s and 50s. This warm weather should bring an early start to the pollen season.
Why so early? Global changes in climate may be to blame. Here are a few reasons why:
- With increasing temperatures there are more days above freezing, leading to a longer allergy season. Per climatecentral.org the growing season in Hartford, CT has increased by 18.4 days from 1970 to 2018.
- Increasing levels of CO2 (aka plant food), produce increasing quantities of plants and plant pollens. For example, higher ragweed biomass and ragweed pollen levels. Not only do numbers rise but pollens become stronger (more potent or allergenic). This has been demonstrated for grass pollens as well as mold spores (Aspergillus fumigatus).
Spring season is upon us, be prepared.