Allergy Forecast For Massachusetts: 'Lower Than Usual' Spring Tree ...

People who suffer from spring allergies might not have to use as many Kleenex tissues this year, but the late summer could be a different story.

That’s according to the AccuWeather allergy forecast, which is predicting a below-average spring season for tree pollen levels in the Northeast — followed by an average grass pollen summer season, and then a higher than normal weed pollen season in the late summer and early fall.

The meteorologists at AccuWeather examine rain and temperature forecasts, along with wind, when coming up with their allergy forecasts. Rain and lower temps on the way to the Northeast this spring are good news for allergy sufferers.

“Starting off, it looks like tree pollen levels will be lower than usual,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alan Reppert told the Herald. “That’s due to the wet weather coming across the area, and temperatures struggling to climb well above freezing.”

The predicted below-average spring allergy season comes after a higher than average tree pollen season last year.

While the levels should be low, the peak for tree pollen season in the Boston-area is expected to be around late April.

Then during the middle of the summer, grass pollen levels should be about average, Reppert said. That’s based on the forecast for no major rainfall to wash out the pollen, along with warm temps. The peak for grass pollen season in the Boston area should be in July.

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The worst time of the year for allergies should be in the late summer and early fall, at the peak of weed pollen levels, according to Reppert. The weed levels should be higher than average because of the mix of warm temps and heavy rainfall.

“A lot of that is due to the tropical threat we’re looking at along the East Coast,” the meteorologist said. “That higher than average rainfall should keep the weed pollen growing.”

Throughout the pandemic, people during allergy season have wondered whether their symptoms are related to allergies, COVID-19, the common cold or the flu. Fatigue is a common symptom for all four ailments.

Seasonal allergy sufferers may have nasal congestion, sneezing and experience itchy eyes and ears. Post-nasal drip can irritate the throat, leading to a persistent cough.

Fever is not a symptom for allergies, while it’s a sign of a COVID-19 infection. Other coronavirus symptoms include a dry cough, aches and pains, loss of smell or taste, headache, sore throat and nasal congestion.

Reppert advised allergy sufferers to stay inside from the late morning to the early afternoon if possible, and to be proactive with taking allergy medications.