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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.
Chicago | Thursday November 21
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Low
Pollen Index
Top Allergens
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TREE POLLEN
0 PPM
Ash
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GRASS POLLEN
0 PPM
Grass/Poaceae
-
WEED POLLEN
13 PPM
Ragweed
Chicago | Friday November 22
-
Low
Pollen Index
Top Allergens
-
TREE POLLEN
0 PPM
Ash
-
GRASS POLLEN
0 PPM
Grass/Poaceae
-
WEED POLLEN
12 PPM
Ragweed
Chicago | Saturday November 23
-
Low
Pollen Index
Top Allergens
-
TREE POLLEN
0 PPM
Ash
-
GRASS POLLEN
0 PPM
Grass/Poaceae
-
WEED POLLEN
15 PPM
Ragweed
Chicago | Sunday November 24
-
Moderate
Pollen Index
Top Allergens
-
TREE POLLEN
0 PPM
Ash
-
GRASS POLLEN
0 PPM
Grass/Poaceae
-
WEED POLLEN
41 PPM
Ragweed
Chicago | Monday November 25
-
Low
Pollen Index
Top Allergens
-
TREE POLLEN
0 PPM
Ash
-
GRASS POLLEN
0 PPM
Grass/Poaceae
-
WEED POLLEN
14 PPM
Ragweed
Get ahead of pollen with personalized alerts!
Sign up for pollen alertsChicago Pollen Levels
Check out the pollen forecast in Chicago for the next few days. When it feels like there's more pollen in the air than traffic on the Eisenhower Expressway, pack Kleenex® On-the-Go tissues, so you can stay prepared for allergies, wherever you are.
Tree pollen boosts pollen counts in Chicago from February to May. Then, pollen counts drop off toward the end of spring. Even though pollen from weeds picks up around this time, pollen counts stay at lower levels from June to January, so you can dance through the streets during Chicago Summerdance, taste your way through the Chicago food scene at Taste of Chicago and take a photo at Cloudgate (a.k.a. "the Bean") and watch free movies at Millennium Park thanks to the Millennium Park Summer Film Series. That said, if you want to keep seasonal allergies at bay during months with high pollen counts, you might want to steer clear of parks and grassy areas. Read ahead for a few activities that can help get the most out of allergy season in Chicago.
Chicago Monthly Calendar
Pollen levels are highest by far in the early spring and through the summer (February – June) with weed pollen arriving in the fall.
Grass
Tree
Weed
Season
Peak
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 the US 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 throughout the US (especially in the northern states), making them particularly hard to avoid. Birch tree pollen is released as early as January and can continue to be scattered by the wind through April. 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. Different species pollinate two times during the year: most in January or February (sometimes as late as April) and a few produce pollen during the late summer into November. 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 the US. 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 highPeak Season : Spring to Early Summer -
Poplar
Poplar trees can be found all over the US, 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 March and continue through April. 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 grow most commonly in the northern US. 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. They’re even considered an invasive species in some parts of the US. Maple trees pollinate in February and continue through April. 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 the US. Oak tree pollen is highly allergenic and has a long allergy season, stretching from February all the way through to May. 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 the US, 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 are 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
Allergy friendly activities in Chicago
Dealing with seasonal allergies for about four months can be tougher than waiting for the 'L' train in Chicago winter. That's why we put together a list of allergy-friendly activities to help you get through allergy season in the windy city.
Restaurants in Chicago
Chicago is a city for people who love food. Comfort food. Fine dining. You name it. You'll find it here. Plus, thanks to indoor dining, you don't have to deal with pollen, whether you're getting deep-dish pizza, jibaritos, a hot dog (without ketchup, of course) or something else delicious in this Midwestern food city.
Chicago Live Entertainment
The Chicago theater scene is known for its variety and talented performers. From improv to stand up to concerts to musicals and plays, anyone who loves performance art can find an excellent indoor live show that helps them avoid pollen.
Chicago Sports
Chicagoans love sports, and there's even more to love about sports, like baseball, basketball and football, when they take your mind off high pollen counts.
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.
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