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Ottawa Pollen Bomb: Spring Allergies Hit Hard
25 May
Summary
- Spring pollen season is unusually intense due to delayed cold and recent warm weather.
- Multiple tree pollen types are peaking simultaneously, creating a 'pollen bomb'.
- Pollen levels have doubled over the last 35 years, linked to warming temperatures.
Ottawa is currently enduring an exceptionally severe spring allergy season, characterized as a "pollen bomb" by local experts. A prolonged cold spell earlier in the spring delayed the release of pollen from early-blooming trees like alder, maple, and cedar. Recent warmer temperatures have caused these, along with later pollens from oak, birch, and pine, to peak concurrently. This unusual overlap has intensified the pollen load within a compressed timeframe, leading to significant discomfort for allergy sufferers.
Allergists note that this year's tree pollen season has returned with notable severity after a milder period last year. Symptoms are affecting not only long-time sufferers but also individuals experiencing allergies for the first time. The visible effects, such as a thick yellow coating on outdoor surfaces, are undeniable. Researchers observe a concerning trend of significantly increasing pollen levels over recent decades, with a doubling observed over the past 35 years, strongly correlating with warmer weather patterns.
