Yes, spring is the most prominent allergy season in the United States, typically running from February through early summer. Tree pollen is the primary trigger during these months, and for the roughly 80 million Americans who deal with seasonal allergies, spring can mean weeks of sneezing, congestion, and itchy eyes.
When Spring Allergy Season Starts and Ends
In much of the U.S., spring allergy season begins in February and stretches into early June. That surprises many people who associate allergies with April showers and blooming flowers. The real culprit, tree pollen, starts releasing well before most trees have visible leaves.
The season doesn’t hit everywhere at once. Southern states see pollen production ramp up first, sometimes as early as late January, while northern regions may not feel the effects until March or April. Where you live also determines which trees are dominant and how intense the season gets. Cities with large canopies of oak, elm, or juniper tend to produce heavier pollen loads than surrounding rural areas might suggest.
Which Trees Cause the Most Problems
Tree pollen season runs from February through the end of May, with different species taking turns. Juniper, maple, and elm are typically the first to release pollen, sometimes while snow is still on the ground. They’re followed by pines, oaks, hickory, and ash as the season progresses into April and May.
Oak pollen is particularly potent. A single oak tree can release billions of pollen grains in a season, and those grains are small enough to travel hundreds of miles on the wind. Pine pollen, by contrast, produces the dramatic yellow dust that coats cars and outdoor furniture but is actually less likely to cause allergic reactions because the grains are larger and heavier. If you notice yellow powder on everything but your symptoms are mild, pine is probably the source. If your symptoms are fierce but you don’t see visible pollen, smaller grains from oak, birch, or juniper are more likely responsible.
Reading Pollen Counts
Local pollen counts, reported in grains per cubic meter of air, are the most practical way to plan your day during allergy season. The scales differ by pollen type because it takes fewer grass or weed pollen grains to trigger symptoms than tree pollen grains.
- Tree pollen: Low is 1 to 14, moderate is 15 to 89, high is 90 to 1,499, and very high is above 1,500.
- Grass pollen: Low is 1 to 4, moderate is 5 to 19, high is 20 to 199, and very high is above 200.
- Weed pollen: Low is 1 to 9, moderate is 10 to 49, high is 50 to 499, and very high is above 500.
Most weather apps and websites report a combined pollen index, but checking the breakdown by type helps you identify your specific trigger. If your symptoms spike on days when tree pollen is high but grass pollen is low, you’ve narrowed down what you’re reacting to.
Allergies or a Cold?
Spring allergies and the common cold share enough symptoms (congestion, sneezing, runny nose) that it’s easy to confuse them, especially early in the season. The clearest difference is itching. Allergies almost always cause itchy, watery eyes. Colds rarely do. If your eyes itch, it’s very likely allergies.
Duration is the other reliable indicator. A cold typically resolves within 3 to 10 days, though a lingering cough can stick around a couple of weeks longer. Seasonal allergies last as long as the pollen is in the air, which can mean several weeks of continuous symptoms. If your “cold” has been hanging on for more than two weeks with no fever and no improvement, pollen is the more likely explanation.
Fever and body aches also point toward a cold or other infection rather than allergies. Allergies don’t cause fever.
The Season Is Getting Longer
If it feels like allergy season lasts longer than it used to, the data backs that up. Research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that the pollen season has lengthened by as much as 13 to 27 days at northern latitudes (above roughly 44°N, a line running through Minneapolis and Portland, Maine) since 1995. Warmer winters cause trees to pollinate earlier, and warmer falls let grasses and weeds produce pollen later into the year.
This trend affects northern states disproportionately. Regions that once had a sharp, late start to spring are now seeing a more gradual, earlier onset that extends the total window of pollen exposure. For allergy sufferers, this means the medication and avoidance strategies that worked a decade ago may need to start earlier in the calendar year.
Starting Treatment Before Symptoms Hit
The most effective approach to managing spring allergies is starting medication before your symptoms appear. Allergists commonly recommend beginning your allergy medications about two weeks before symptoms normally kick in. For many parts of the country, that means starting in late January or early February rather than waiting until you’re already miserable in March.
Antihistamines and nasal corticosteroid sprays both work better as preventive measures than as rescue treatments. Nasal sprays in particular need several days of consistent use before they reach full effectiveness. If you wait until you’re already congested with inflamed nasal passages, you’re playing catch-up rather than staying ahead of the reaction.
On high pollen days, practical steps make a noticeable difference: keep windows closed, shower and change clothes after spending time outdoors, and run your car’s air conditioning on recirculate. Pollen counts tend to peak in the morning hours, so scheduling outdoor activities for late afternoon can reduce your exposure.