Tree pollen spikes with warm weather

DAYTON —The Miami Valley has been experiencing a warm stretch lasting more than five days.

Temperatures have been more than 20 degrees above normal since last weekend.

Periods of abnormally high temperatures in February has been shown to correlate with a spike in tree pollen.

Records from the Regional Air Pollution Control Agency, the agency that keeps track of pollen counts in the Miami Valley, show that after our last brief warm burst a quick burst in tree pollen was recorded.

This time, counts following a record breaking weekend show the spike in tree pollen this week was even higher than the last.

Since temperatures in the 60s are expected for the rest of the week it's a good bet our pollen counts will stay in the moderate range possibly higher.

Warm and breezy weather is typically a driver for higher pollen counts.

Rain can wash the pollen out of the atmosphere but also can bring up mold counts and even promote plant growth.

Temperatures are expected to snap back to reality briefly this weekend after a strong cold front passes.

Looking at long range trends through another period of warm weather is expected next week.

Stay tuned to the latest forecast and get the most recent trends for our pollen counts on-air and online from your Storm Center 7 team.