NYC Spring Allergy Season arrives early in 2025. The map shows the current number of pollen around the tristate area.

For many people suffering from allergies in New York City and beyond, the Spring 2025 allergy season has stuck earlier and longer than this year.

“Experts expect the allergy season to last 180 days in the northeast, which will be 20 days longer than we normally do,” explained Dr Nidhi Kumar. “This is one of the direct effects of climate change.”

Here's why experts say it's the perfect storm for longer and more serious allergy seasons:

The beginning of the allergy season

With spring coming, the trees are beginning the process of waking up from a dormant period of several months during the winter. For many people, blooming trees are a welcome sight, but for many others, flowering buds indicate the arrival of a terrifying seasonal allergy, as the trees disperse tons of pollen in the air.

In most of the three state regions, peak pollination of trees, known as “pollution,” occurs between the early and mid-May, so that pollen is visible everywhere. The coastlines of Jersey Shore, East Long Island and Connecticut tend to see peaks after pollen levels (mid May) (mid May) as chilly waters suppress air temperatures and tree blooms late. The highest elevation in the northwest suburbs is usually the last one that usually sees peak pollen levels in late May. The peak pollen era may vary from year to year, based on how temperatures begin to warm. Before and even after peak pollination, it can be miserable for people suffering from allergies. Regarding grass pollen levels, they tend to last throughout the region from late May to early August, and usually do not affect as many people as trees. This is because the trees are much larger and can spread more pollen. June is the peak month for pollen.

Contrary to popular belief, flowering trees and plants are not the source of misery associated with spring allergies. Flowering trees such as Dogwood rely on pollination from bees to reproduce, and do not send pollen far into the air. Meanwhile, they are neither big nor flashy enough to be considered “flowering” with oak, and the majority of local trees that produce small flowers rely on wind pollination to reproduce. As they rely on the wind to breed, these trees send large quantities of pollen into the air to ensure that certain species survive. In some cases, pollen can travel hundreds of miles. As a result of this intense pollination, outdoor surfaces can be coated with a thick layer of yellowish green.

Pollen levels can fluctuate daily based on weather patterns. For example, days characterized by low humidity and windy conditions are the absolute worst for allergies, as pollen spreads so efficiently. In contrast, days characterized by higher humidity and rain reduce pollen levels. Even if there is no actual rain, the higher the humidity level, the thicker the air can prevent pollen from growing and spreading. Cold temperatures also have a sedative effect on pollen levels. At any time, trees produce the most pollen in the morning.

Previous winters could also affect the amount of tree pollen spread throughout the spring. Extreme winters, with plenty of snow, ice and winds, usually increase the amount of pollen released from the trees in spring. Natural pruning of trees in stormy winter weather can promote excessive growth of the trees when spring arrives. After a mild and dry winter, the tree does not produce much pollen. Oaks and pine trees are one of the most abundant produced species when it comes to pollen.

NYC Spring Allergy Prediction

Despite the extremely cold winter, March was much warmer than usual, with few days below freezing. The temperature runs close to four degrees higher than normal, so many local tree buds are swollen, especially in the flowering trees. This is about 10-12 days earlier than when the buds usually start to swell around this time. Even with normal up-and-coming events earlier than this year, it is far behind the last two years when the trees that blossomed in late February were in bloom.

This trend in trees that bloom earlier than usual is becoming more common due to climate change. The world of global warming means a season in which winter is short and there is a long period of growth. The longer growth season spells longer pollination, which ultimately leads to a longer allergy season. Pollen levels are already beginning to spike, running at medium levels. They will only be expensive in the next few weeks.

NOAA's release of spring temperature outlook shows above-average warmth will last for spring. Given the current and predicted warmth trends, we may see an earlier peak pollination period in spring 2025. Winter was not extreme, but was characterized by humidity and many wind periods. These factors could contribute to a rather intense pollen period this year.

Allergic symptoms and treatment

Dr. Kumar says one in four adults in the US suffers from allergies. Symptoms include suffocating nose, sore throat, itching and fatigue, which can even hurt your mental health.

“Experts have also discovered that what this high pollen counting does causes huge amounts of inflammation not only in the brain, but also in the body, which can affect our mental and cognitive health,” she explained. “If there is that level of inflammation in the body, it destroys not only the essential chemicals in the brain, but the hormones in the brain.”

What are the ways to stay healthy after the allergy season lasts for nearly six months?

• Leave windows and doors closed to prevent pollen from coming inside
• Take a shower after being outdoors for a long time to rinse pollen
• It stays inside on days when pollen count is high
• Use air conditioners in your home and car
• Wear a face mask outdoors

For maps and details about this allergy season, please see click here.