It’s everywhere. On our cars. Coating the house. Blowing in the air.
That bright yellow pollen we can’t escape.
Spring happens every year, so of course we are used to seeing some pollen floating around. However, this year, according to experts, we’re having an “intense burst.”
Dr. Steven Kernerman from the Spokane Allergy and Asthma Clinic, said this year is unique because of the cool temperatures and rain we had in March. It kept the pollen counts down, and allowed it to build up.
Now, that the weather is getting nicer, the pollen is going everywhere.
“There’s quite a bit on my car, then also in my house, just blowing in the windows and all over the counters,” said Gina Baker, a Spokane resident with whom just about everyone can identify. “It’s quite messy.”
Kernerman said the rain will knock the pollen out of the air.
“That’s where you’ll see those puddles of yellow where the pollen has settled down.”
Fun fact, most people are not allergic to the bright yellow pollen in the air. Kernerman said most people are not allergic to the ponderosa pines that make the most visible pollen in our area. Your symptoms are most likely the result of other pollen in the air you can’t see.
"Elm, Ash, and Cottonwood, Birch has already finished....but those tree pollens are out there now and some people may be symptomatic from those right now,” he explained. “Not as many people are symptomatic from the yellow pine pollen."
Kernerman said the tree season might be wrapping up, but the grass season is just getting underway. Grass pollen tends to impact people mid-to-late May to mid-to-late June, Kernerman said.
The weed pollen season will pick up later this summer, July through August.
As for the bright yellow ponderosa pine pollen, Kernerman said he expects it to last about another week or so, but for now just hang in there or hope for another rainy day.
As a reporter, I'm glad I can use my 🚗 in my pollen story today. But as a car owner, I'm cringing at the sight of it. #yellowpollen @KREM2 pic.twitter.com/azXEklXyfy
— Amanda Roley (@KREMAmandaRoley) May 25, 2017