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The pollen forecast for your area

The weather forecast for your area

Discover our hay fever advice and more information about pollen in your area.

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Pollen Count in Calgary, Alberta

What is the pollen count in Calgary today?

Check the pollen count in Calgary today to see what allergens are out there causing your hay fever to go haywire. Enter your postal code above to see the daily pollen count in Calgary.

Pollen forecast for Calgary

Whether it’s the Calgary Stampede or the Calgary Zoo you’re looking to visit, our pollen tracker will outline how high the pollen count in Calgary is going to be over the coming days.

Pollen Month-by-Month in Calgary

Pollen Count by Month Calgary

  1. January

    2. With snow covering most of Calgary, this month has a low pollen count. Due to the low pollen count, allergies in January are likely mold or animal related. Having trouble distinguishing between a winter cold and hay fever? Check out our guide to learn the differences.

  2. February

    3. So long as the freezing temperatures continue in Calgary, pollen rarely makes its presence felt this early in the year.

  3. March

    4. The first month of spring brings with it the beginning of tree pollen season. Trees in season include Cedars, Hazels, Alders, Elms, Maples, Willows, Poplars, Pines and Oaks.

  4. April

    5. April showers bring grass pollen season! Introducing Kentucky grass, the first representative of the upcoming season. Tree pollen remains the dominant pollen producer in Calgary during April.

  5. May

    6. Sycamore trees begin pollenating in May, along with Kentucky, Bermuda, Johnson, orchard, and Timothy grasses which evenly spread their pollen across Calgary.

  6. June

    7. By June, sweet vernal joins the party and adds its pollen to the other grasses. Pine, birch and oaks are the primary producers of tree pollen within Calgary.

  7. July

    8. In July, grass pollen is peaking in Calgary, while the majority of tree pollen production is coming to an end for another year.

  8. August

    9. The good news is that tree pollen production has peaked with the exception of a few late bloomers. For Calgary, ragweed is now the dominant pollen producer, along with dock, nettle, mugwort and plantain.

  9. September

    10. Hay fever season is finally winding down with ragweed on the decline. It’s time to take a deep breath without causing runny noses or itchy eyes – and hopefully, the sun will stay around to make the most of it!

  10. October

    11. With any luck, the last of the weed pollen is on its way out, although some may hang around until the first frost of winter in Calgary.

  11. November

    12. Enjoy the changing leaf colours without your eyes watering: November’s pollen count tends to be low.

  12. December

    13. December brings the first official day of winter in Calgary, which traditionally welcomes low levels of pollen for the next few months.

Top Causes of Pollen in Calgary

Trees produce pollen in Calgary from March until July. Calgary’s most common tree allergens are Elm, Birch, Pine, Poplar, and Ash trees1. Grass pollen is in the air from April until July as well, followed by weed pollen. Ragweed pollen is the dominant strain in Calgary, beginning in August through September (or until cooler temperatures take over.)

Pollen count by Pollen Category calgary

How to Stay Prepared for Calgary’s Allergy Seasons

  • When seasonal allergies strike, have a package of Kleenex® Ultra On-the-Go 3-Ply Pocket Facial Tissues ready to comfort your stuffy nose.
  • Have sunglasses handy to stop pollen from reaching your eyes.
  • Remove pollen by washing your hands often when out and about.
  • Trap pollen by putting petroleum jelly around your nostrils and upper lip.2
  • Filter out pollen and allergens by wearing a highly protective comfortable mask.3
  • When you return home, change your clothes and shower after spending time outside to remove pollen.
  • Try nasal breathing exercises for a natural solution, as they have been shown to help those using standard nasal sprays.4

Pollen Hotspots in Calgary

Hay fever season for Calgary begins in March, when trees begin producing pollen, followed by grasses in April and weeds in August. Popular places like Prince’s Island Park and Bow River will be pollen central during these months. Even the Heritage Park Historical Village can induce seasonal allergies, unless you take care to prioritize the indoor exhibitions.

Allergy Friendly Activities in Calgary

Calgary’s generosity extends to pollen levels in spring and summer, when the pollen count hits its high. Tree, grass and weed pollen all reach peaks at different times – so it’s worth planning any trips to the city’s parks and woodlands when they are lower. Check out Your Pollen Pal before you plan your day out on the town.

Cultural Sites

Explore the city by visiting one of these well-known landmarks.

  • Calgary Tower
  • Studio Bell
  • Telus Spark Science Centre
  • Stephen Avenue Walk
  • Fort Calgary
  • Heritage Park Historical Village

Indoor Activities

Calgary is one city where Canada’s infamous winters can help anyone trying to avoid pollen in the warmer weather! Using the Skywalk to get around, you will have access to 18 km of elevated walkways and bridges, enabling you to shop and visit museums to your heart’s content. Keep in mind that depending on your allergies, you may want to avoid the Devonian Gardens, the indoor botanical garden containing over 550 trees and 20,000 plants.

  • +15 Skywalk
  • Glenbow Museum
  • Core Shopping Centre
  • Royal Tyrrell Museum
  • Speeders Indoor ProKarts

Sources:

  1. https://www.aerobiology.ca/collection-site/calgary-alberta/
  2. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever/
  3. https://now.tufts.edu/articles/are-face-masks-helping-people-allergies
  4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3392338/

Pollen Levels

The following table shows the risk level for each type of pollen derived by applying NAB guidelines to our data and taking percentile values from the extended season for each type of pollen. 

Severity of pollen is dictated by the PPM number, which stands for Pollen Grains Per Cubic Metre. The weather and time of day can also be a big factor when it comes to how the pollen count can affect you. As pollen falls to the ground when the heat dissipates during the evening, this can mean your seasonal allergy symptoms get worse and is why many allergy sufferers have worse symptoms in the night. On rainy days, you’ll find your allergy symptoms are easier to manage as rain tends to wash pollen away.

  • Low
  • Moderate
  • High
  • Critical

Tree Pollen

Tree pollen Icon
  • 0-95
  • 96-207
  • 208-703
  • 704+

Weed Pollen

Weed Pollen Icon
  • 0-20
  • 21-77
  • 78-266
  • 267+

Grass Pollen

Grass pollen Icon
  • 0-29
  • 30-60
  • 61-341
  • 342+

Types of Pollen

We’ve taken a closer look at the types of pollen out there to help you narrow down which ones will have you reaching for the tissues.

  • Ash

    Ash

    Ash trees come in a variety of species (45 to 60 species worldwide), but the most common in Canada is white ash. Ash trees can be found just about anywhere. Unfortunately for allergy sufferers, ash trees can produce pollen at almost any time of year depending on the species, but peak primarily in the spring. Ash tree allergy symptoms you might experience include runny nose, coughing, congestion and sneezing. To help avoid some of these symptoms, do your best to stay indoors. If these symptoms become difficult to manage on your own, ask your doctor if allergy medication might be best for you.
    Peak Season : Spring
  • Birch

    Birch

    Birch trees grow in every region of Canada, making them particularly hard to avoid. Birch tree pollen peaks during March to June across Western, Eastern and Atlantic Canada. If you’re allergic to birch tree pollen, you might experience symptoms like sneezing, nasal congestion, wheezing, runny nose and watery eyes. Sign up for pollen alerts in your area, and help manage your allergy symptoms by keeping your windows and doors closed as much as possible.
    Peak Season : Late Winter to Spring
  • Elm

    Elm

    Elm trees come from a family of about 35 species. They pollinate mostly in February (sometimes as late as April). However, pollination can still occur at any time of year. If you’re allergic to elm trees, you might endure symptoms like sneezing, nasal congestion, wheezing and itchy throat, nose and eyes. Help prevent allergy symptoms by getting personalized pollen alerts and limiting time outdoors when levels are high. You’ll want to wash your bedding and clothes more often too!
    Peak Season : Winter and Late Summer
  • Pine

    Pine

    Pine Trees can be found growing throughout Canada. Fortunately, pine pollen allergies are fairly uncommon, but people can be severely allergic to pine nuts. Pine pollen allergy symptoms can include itchy eyes, runny nose, congestion and coughing. Pine nut allergy symptoms can be as severe as other nut allergies, including symptoms such as anaphylaxis, tightness in the chest and difficulty breathing. To try to evade pine pollen allergies, get personalized alerts about the pollen count in your area and do your best to stay indoors when pine pollen levels are high.
    Peak Season : Spring to Early Summer
  • Poplar

    Poplar

    Poplar trees can be found all over Canada, as it is a popular tree used in landscaping. The most common species of poplar in North America is the Quaking Aspen. Poplar trees typically begin to pollinate in February and continue through May. If you’re suffering from poplar tree allergy symptoms, you might experience coughing, congestion, sneezing and itchy throat, nose and eyes. You can help manage these symptoms by avoiding peak pollen levels with personalized pollen alerts for your area. Cleaning your house often and doing laundry more frequently can also provide relief, as well.
    Peak Season : Spring
  • Juniper

    Juniper

    Juniper trees produce pollen grains about 20 to 30 micrometers in size (making them barely visible to the naked eye), which is small enough to become airborne and impact allergy sufferers from miles and miles away. Symptoms from juniper tree pollen allergies can include congestion, sneezing, sore throat and even dark circles under the eyes! To help relieve some of these symptoms, keep your doors and windows closed, dust and clean more frequently, and wash bedding and clothes more often. When you do step out, wearing a mask might help too.
    Peak Season : Winter to Late Spring
  • Red Maple

    Maple

    Maple trees can be found just about anywhere in the country and are considered an important symbol of Canada. Maple trees pollinate in March and continue through June. Unfortunately, maple tree pollen is extremely allergenic and can travel for miles, making them difficult to avoid for allergy sufferers. If allergic, you might experience symptoms like runny nose, coughing, congestion, sneezing and watery eyes. For a bit of relief, close your windows and doors. Keep your house clean and shower more frequently to ensure pollen doesn’t linger after stepping outside.
    Peak Season : Spring
  • Oak

    Oak

    Oak trees come from a family of 450 species and can be found all over Canada. Oak tree pollen is highly allergenic and has a long allergy season, stretching from February all the way through to July. If you’re allergic to oak tree pollen, you might face allergy symptoms like sneezing, nasal congestion, wheezing and itchy throat, nose and eyes. Be sure to sign up for personalized pollen alerts for your area so you can avoid or limit exposure during peak pollen levels. Clean often and avoid bringing pollen indoors by removing “outside” clothes like shoes, jackets and hats.
    Peak Season : Winter to Spring
  • Ragweed

    Ragweed

    Ragweed is a weed that grows throughout Canada, especially in rural areas. A single ragweed plant can create up to 1 billion pollen grains! This usually happens around August as warm weather, summer breezes and humidity help release their pollen grains. If you're allergic to ragweed, you might face allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, post-nasal drip and itchiness in the eyes, nose and throat. To help keep symptoms at bay, track the pollen count in your area, stay indoors during peak levels and plan ahead when you do step out.
    Peak Season : Late Summer
  • Poaceae

    Poaceae

    Poaceae (pronounced “po-see-ay”) commonly known as the grass family of flowering plants. As it’s a large family (over 12,000 species), Poaceae pollen is the leading cause of pollen allergy worldwide! If you’re allergic to Poaceae, you might experience allergy symptoms like itchy throat, runny nose, sneezing, watering eyes, blocked sinuses and headaches. To help alleviate symptoms, cover up when going out to prevent unnecessary contact and remove all outside clothing when returning indoors, but ultimately, you’ll want to try to refrain from going outside if you can avoid it.
    Peak Season : Late Spring to Early Summer

Show Allergy Season Who’s Boss

Looking for more info on seasonal allergies and symptoms? Check out our latest articles to help you put pollen allergies in their place.

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Pollen Faq

Frequently Asked Questions

The pollen tracker pools data from various sources including but not limited to
  1. Local Pollen traps, where available.
  2. Weather data and other anthropogenic factors.
  3. Vegetation related data around your region.
“With such levels of accuracy, we can predict the pollen count on your street for up to five days ahead.” Madhusudhan Anand, Co-Founder & CTO of Ambee

Pollen is a light airborne dust that acts as a fertilizing agent for various plants. Trees, flowers, grass, and weeds all produce pollen, especially during the spring and summer months.

Similar to how the Air Quality Health Index measures pollution in the air, the pollen count is the measure of how much pollen is in the air on a given day. This information is gathered from reporting stations across the country to provide accurate local pollen readings.

It’s not uncommon to think you’ve caught a cold or flu when you actually have allergies. Sometimes referred as hay fever, tree pollen allergies may cause these symptoms: nasal congestion; sinus pressure; runny nose; itchy, watery, red eyes; coughing; scratchy throat; postnasal drip; and fatigue1.

In a word, yes. A study presented at the 249th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS) reported that a pair of air pollutants linked to climate change interact with certain pollens resulting in a change at a chemical level which increases the pollen’s potency. This in turn provokes a more powerful immune response from allergy sufferers.3

Pollen counts are highest on dry, windy days and lower after rainfall or at night – and usually peak between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. and again at dusk, so avoid these times if you plan to be outdoors. If you plan to exercise outside during allergy season, consider wearing a face mask designed to filter out pollens. As soon as you get home, rinse out your nose with saline or ask your doctor about nose sprays to provide relief.

A tree pollen level above 50 is considered high, while one to 10 is considered low. Be sure to check your local pollen count before venturing outside and plan accordingly.