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Sign up for pollen alertsPollen Count in Ottawa, Ontario
What is the pollen count in Ottawa today?
Want to know how many tissues to stuff in your pocket today? Your Pollen Pal can help with that. Search by postal code above for a detailed daily breakdown of the pollen count in Ottawa.
Pollen forecast for Ottawa
Track the Ottawa pollen count for the next few days using the tracker. Your Pollen Pal gives you a pollen forecast in any location across the city so you can head out to Rideau Canal or Parliament Hill safe in the knowledge that you are lowering your chances of having hay fever symptoms.
Pollen Month-by-Month in Ottawa
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January
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February
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March
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April
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May
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June
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July
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August
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September
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October
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November
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December
With snow covering most of Ottawa, this month has a low pollen count. Most Allergies in January are most likely mold or animal related. If you’re having a hard time distinguishing between a winter cold and hay fever check out our guide for a breakdown.
So long as the freezing temperatures continue in Ottawa, pollen rarely makes its presence felt this early in the year.
March welcomes spring and the start of tree pollen season. Trees blooming include Maples, Willows, Poplars, Oaks, Cedars, Hazels, Alders, Elms and Pines.
Kentucky grass is the first representative of grass pollen season caused by April’s spring showers. Tree pollen remains the dominant pollen producer in Ottawa during April.
Within May, Sycamore trees begin pollenating, along with Kentucky, Bermuda, Johnson, Orchard, and Timothy grasses, which spread pollen throughout the city.
By June, pines, birch and oaks are the main pollen producers, while sweet vernal begins to add its pollen to the other grasses.
In July, grass pollen is peaking in Ottawa while the majority of tree pollen production is coming to an end for another year.
The good news is that tree pollen production has peaked with the exception of a few late bloomers. For Ottawa, ragweed is now the dominant pollen producer, along with dock, nettle, mugwort and plantain.
Feel free to take a deep breath without a runny noses or itchy eyes as hay fever season is finally winding down with Ragweed on the decline. Let’s hope that the sun sticks around to make the most of it!
With any luck, the last of the weed pollen is on its way out, although some ragweed along with crab grass may hang around until the first frost of winter in Ottawa.
Enjoy the changing leaf colours without your eyes watering: November’s pollen count tends to be low, along with the temperature.
December brings the first official day of winter in Ottawa, which means traditionally low levels of pollen for the next few months.
Top Causes of Pollen in Ottawa
Trees produce pollen in Ottawa from March until July. Ottawa’s most common tree allergens are Alder, Ash, Birch, and Poplar trees1. Grass pollen is in the air from April until July as well, followed by weed pollen. Ragweed pollen is the dominant strain in Ottawa, beginning in August through September (or until cooler temperatures take over.)
How to Stay Prepared for Ottawa’s Allergy Seasons
- To comfort your snuffy nose have a package of Kleenex® Ultra On-the-Go 3-Ply Pocket Facial Tissues ready.
- Wear sunglasses, when possible, to avoid pollen from reaching your eyes.
- As often as possible, wash your hands while out to remove pollen.
- Have petroleum jelly handy and apply around your nostrils and your upper lip to block pollen.2
- Filter the air by wearing a highly protective comfortable mask to block pollen.3
- Remove pollen by showering and changing your clothing once home.
- When in doubt try nasal breathing exercises to assist when using standard nasal sprays.4
Pollen Hotspots in Ottawa
Canada’s capital city might be buried under snow for a good part of the year but when spring comes, life blooms again across Ottawa. Unfortunately, so does pollen. Events like the Spring Tulip Festival in May might be allergy inducing due to pollen peaks. Even the popular Rideau Canal may need to be avoided at high pollen times. Check the pollen forecast to plan your trip and keep reading to find alternative activities for those hay fever inducing days.
Allergy Friendly Activities in Ottawa
Just because its hay fever season doesn’t mean you need to hide away. There are plenty of activities in and around Ottawa that can be enjoyed, pollen or no pollen. If you do want to head out into green spaces, it’s worth noting when Ottawa’s low pollen seasons are.
Cultural Sites
Naturally, as the capital of Canada, Ottawa has a plethora of important buildings to visit and explore. Of course, during grass pollen season, you may have to stick to the indoor tours of Parliament Hill, as it is surrounded by fields of grass. Check Your Pollen Pal for the pollen forecast so you know before you go.
- Parliament Hill
- National Gallery of Canada
- Ottawa Art Gallery
- Rideau Canal
- Haunted Walk of Ottawa
- ByWard Market
Shopping
Long cold winters mean that much of the shopping in Ottawa is indoors and therefore pollen free all year round!
- Rideau Centre
- Bayshore Shopping Centre
- St. Laurent Shopping
- Sparks Street Mall
- CARP Famers’ Market
Museums
Brush up on your trivia by visiting any of Ottawa’s many museums.
- Canadian Museum of History and the Children’s Museum
- Canadian Aviation and Space Museum
- Canada Science and Technology Museum
- The Canadian War Museum
- National Gallery of Canada
Sources:
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
- 0-95
- 96-207
- 208-703
- 704+
Weed Pollen
- 0-20
- 21-77
- 78-266
- 267+
Grass Pollen
- 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.
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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 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 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 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 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 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 -
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 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
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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 (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.
Find Comfort From Allergies with Kleenex®
Seasonal or not, allergy symptoms can take a heavy toll on you. Let Kleenex® facial tissues help relieve some of those symptoms.
View all products
Kleenex® Ultra Soft™ Facial Tissues - Upright Box
Ultra absorbent for runny noses and water eyes.
Kleenex® Soothing Lotion™ Facial Tissues - Upright Box
Made with daily moisturizers to help nourish skin
Frequently Asked Questions
- Local Pollen traps, where available.
- Weather data and other anthropogenic factors.
- Vegetation related data around your region.
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.
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