Say sneeze! High pollen count plagues DC area

Some pollen counts throughout the D.C. region have sky-rocketed this week. (Thinkstock)

It may be a beautiful spring day, but not for those with allergies. The D.C. area experienced an exceptionally high pollen count Wednesday with little relief in sight until rain Thursday or Friday.



The worst of the pollen is coming from trees, according to an April pollen and spore report from the U.S. Army Centralized Allergen Extract Laboratory.

Pollen from grass is at a moderate level for the D.C. area, while weed pollen is low.

The biggest pollen contributors are mostly oak, sycamore and mulberry trees. The nice spring breeze isn’t helping either — it’s rustling pollen through the air, said Storm Team 4 meteorologist Lauryn Ricketts.

Relief will come in the form of rain later in the week. On Thursday, a chance of scattered showers in the area begins after 2 p.m. On Friday, rain is likely with some thunder possible later in the day.

The Forecast

Thursday: Mostly cloudy, scattered showers. Chance of rain is 40% after 2 p.m.
HIGHS: 65-70 degrees

Friday: Mostly cloudy. Rain likely, some p.m. thunder. Breezy at times.
HIGHS: 63-68 degrees

Saturday: Mostly sunny. Low humidity.
HIGHS: 64-69 degrees

Current Conditions

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