North Carolina's Tree Pollen Peak: What You Need to Know

0:00It's March 30th. You're listening to Durham News today, AI-powered local news. North Carolina is hitting peak tree pollen season right now in late March, with a yellow pine pollen dusting everything like glitter from the sky. Experts say it'll max out this week, before easing up in early April, thanks to a science formula tracking pine production for tougher trees. Hardwoods like oak and maple pack a bigger allergy punch than pine, since their pollen grains are smaller, lighter, and rougher. Perfect for wind too. Carry right into your lungs. Pine grains, way bigger and smoother, two to three times a size, so less irritating. Raleigh and Winston-Salem rank in the top 20 worst US spots for allergy sufferers, leaving folks sneezing due yellow-coated cars and driveways that look like snow fields. Is that time when you just accept the mess as part of life? Late air quality samples in Raleigh clocked three very high tree pollen days last week, with pine, oak, maple, sweet gum, and birch leading the pack.

1:04They test weekdays from February through late October. As summer rolls in, tree counts drop off, making room for grass and weed pollen to take over. Then ragweed hits hard in September and October natures. Allergy playlist, keep spinning.