Seasonal allergies will be in full swing this week in the Northeast as seasonable temperatures take hold. After a slow start to spring, more consistent, higher temperatures have finally migrated northward.

However, with these warmer temperatures comes the return of seasonal allergies. With milder conditions starting in the beginning of April, the growing season has really started up. Plants and flowers all over the region are blooming or are ready to pop.

This sudden boom in tree blossoms could have allergy sufferers seeing symptoms more abruptly than usual.
As per this time of year, the tree pollen is the main allergy threat, especially from oak, maple, pine and elm varieties.

What seems to have awakened the trees was the sudden warmth early last week, followed by drenching rain in many areas. Even though temperatures slipped back following the rain, they have averaged about 10 degrees higher than the first week of the month.

Consistent warmth is expected through this week, along with occasional rainfall. The combination of the two will continue to spur on blossoming and pollen release.

Even though rain temporarily removes some of the pollen from the air, it promotes a new round of blossoming this time of the year. -SS