--- title: What Does Pollen Count Mean? | WeatherBug | WeatherBug description: Here’s What “High Pollen” Actually Tells You About the Air Outside canonical: https://www.weatherbug.com/news/What%20Does%20Pollen%20Count%20Mean og:title: What Does Pollen Count Mean? | WeatherBug | WeatherBug og:description: Here’s What “High Pollen” Actually Tells You About the Air Outside og:url: https://www.weatherbug.com/news/What%20Does%20Pollen%20Count%20Mean og:site_name: WeatherBug og:locale: en_US og:image: https://cms-assets-con.cdn.weatherbug.net/assets/contentitems/28/28412859-ab43-4ba4-8930-9acc1963c828/52e0ce98-d40a-4283-82d1-d0fe816ebf4b/e24536bf-a17b-4970-a324-84ca48fbf411.png og:image:width: 800 og:image:height: 600 og:image:alt: What is pollen count and how does it impact air quality, and more importantly, your sinuses og:type: article article:published_time: 2026-11-10T22:24:42Z article:modified_time: 2026-11-10T22:24:42Z article:author: WeatherBug Meteorologist, Brittney Gomez article:tag: pollen article:tag: pollen count article:tag: air quality article:tag: allergies article:tag: sinuses article:tag: allergy season twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: What Does Pollen Count Mean? | WeatherBug twitter:description: Here’s What “High Pollen” Actually Tells You About the Air Outside twitter:image: https://cms-assets-con.cdn.weatherbug.net/assets/contentitems/28/28412859-ab43-4ba4-8930-9acc1963c828/52e0ce98-d40a-4283-82d1-d0fe816ebf4b/e24536bf-a17b-4970-a324-84ca48fbf411.png --- [](/) [Back to forecast](/) # What Does Pollen Count Mean? > Sponsored content. 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That seems to explain the sneezing. But what does “high” actually mean? And how do scientists count pollen particles that are too small for us to see? The short answer: **A pollen count estimates how much pollen is in the air in a specific area. The higher the count, the greater the chance that people sensitive to that pollen will experience symptoms.** ## What Is a Pollen Count? A pollen count measures the concentration of airborne pollen, typically reported as the number of pollen grains in one cubic meter of air during a set period. Counts may be separated into: * Tree pollen * Grass pollen * Weed pollen * Mold spores That distinction matters. You could have a high tree-pollen count but very little grass or weed pollen. If trees are not one of your allergy triggers, the overall level may not match how you feel. ## How Is Pollen Counted? Scientists use specialized air samplers, often placed on rooftops or in other open areas, to collect particles blowing through the air. Pollen grains and mold spores stick to a collection surface inside the sampler. A trained counter then studies the sample under a microscope, identifies the particles and calculates their concentration in the surrounding air. Many stations collect particles over a 24-hour period, which means a reported count may describe recent conditions rather than what is happening at that exact moment. ## Is It a Pollen Count or a Pollen Forecast? They sound similar, but they are not quite the same. A **pollen count** comes from pollen collected and examined at a monitoring station. A **pollen forecast** estimates future levels using information such as recent observations, plant cycles and expected weather conditions. Your weather app may show forecast levels, especially if there is no nearby monitoring station. Because pollen can vary across relatively short distances, the number should be treated as a guide for your area, not a measurement from your backyard. ## What Is Considered a High Pollen Count? The number considered “high” depends on what is being counted. Tree, grass and weed pollen are measured on different scales. Using commonly applied National Allergy Bureau ranges: * **Tree pollen is high at 90 to 1,499 grains per cubic meter.** It becomes very high at 1,500 or more. * **Grass pollen is high at 20 to 199 grains per cubic meter.** It becomes very high at 200 or more. * **Weed pollen is high at 50 to 499 grains per cubic meter.** It becomes very high at 500 or more. * **Mold is high at 13,000 to 49,999 spores per cubic meter.** It becomes very high at 50,000 or more. That is why a grass-pollen count of 100 can be considered high, while the same number for tree pollen falls into a different category. ## Why Does Pollen Count Change? Pollen levels can change from one day to the next, and conditions may shift throughout the day. Weather plays a major role: * Warm weather can encourage plants to release pollen. * Dry conditions help pollen remain airborne. * Wind can lift pollen and carry it into new areas. * Rain can temporarily wash pollen out of the air. * Storms can stir up or break apart pollen particles. The season, location and types of plants growing nearby also affect which allergens are in the air. ## What Does a High Pollen Count Mean for You? A high count means there is more of that particular allergen in the air, but it does not guarantee that everyone will feel miserable. Your symptoms depend on which pollens affect you, how sensitive you are and how much time you spend outside. Possible symptoms include: * Sneezing * A runny or stuffy nose * Itchy or watery eyes * A scratchy throat * Coughing * Worsening asthma symptoms Pollen exposure can trigger asthma attacks in people whose asthma is sensitive to pollen ## What Should You Do When Pollen Is High? If the forecast shows high levels for one of your triggers, a few small adjustments may help: * Check the pollen forecast before spending extended time outside. * Keep windows closed when levels are elevated. * Shower and change clothes after being outdoors. * Avoid mowing or other activities that stir up pollen. * Take allergy or asthma medication as directed by your healthcare provider. ## Takeaways A pollen count tells you how much tree, grass or weed pollen is in the air near a monitoring location. A pollen forecast estimates how those levels may change based partly on upcoming weather. The higher the level, the more likely sensitive people are to notice symptoms. But the most useful number is not always the overall pollen level. It is the level of the specific pollen that bothers you. We use technologies, such as cookies, to analyze your use (i.e., pages visited), to customize content, for our internal analytics purposes and for security and other purposes. By continuing to use this website, you agree to this usage. Please review our [privacy policy](/legal/privacy) for more details as well as for information on how to contact us to object to these activities. [Ad Choices](/legal/privacy#digitaladvertisingandyourchoices) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.weatherbug.com/news/What Does Pollen Count Mean"},"headline":"What Does Pollen Count Mean?","description":"Here’s What “High Pollen” Actually Tells You About the Air Outside","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://cms-assets-con.cdn.weatherbug.net/assets/contentitems/28/28412859-ab43-4ba4-8930-9acc1963c828/52e0ce98-d40a-4283-82d1-d0fe816ebf4b/e24536bf-a17b-4970-a324-84ca48fbf411.png","caption":"What is pollen count and how does it impact air quality, and more importantly, your sinuses"}],"datePublished":"2026-11-10T22:24:42Z","dateModified":"2026-11-10T22:24:42Z","dateCreated":"2026-11-10T22:24:42Z","articleSection":"Weather News","keywords":"pollen,pollen count,air quality,allergies,sinuses,allergy season","articleBody":"Your eyes are itching, your nose will not stop running and your weather app says the pollen count is high. That seems to explain the sneezing. But what does “high” actually mean? And how do scientists count pollen particles that are too small for us to see? The short answer: A pollen count estimates how much pollen is in the air in a specific area. The higher the count, the greater the chance that people sensitive to that pollen will experience symptoms. What Is a Pollen Count? A pollen count measures the concentration of airborne pollen, typically reported as the number of pollen grains in one cubic meter of air during a set period. Counts may be separated into: Tree pollen Grass pollen Weed pollen Mold spores That distinction matters. You could have a high tree-pollen count but very little grass or weed pollen. If trees are not one of your allergy triggers, the overall level may not match how you feel. How Is Pollen Counted? Scientists use specialized air samplers, often placed on rooftops or in other open areas, to collect particles blowing through the air. Pollen grains and mold spores stick to a collection surface inside the sampler. A trained counter then studies the sample under a microscope, identifies the particles and calculates their concentration in the surrounding air. Many stations collect particles over a 24-hour period, which means a reported count may describe recent conditions rather than what is happening at that exact moment. Is It a Pollen Count or a Pollen Forecast? They sound similar, but they are not quite the same. A pollen count comes from pollen collected and examined at a monitoring station. A pollen forecast estimates future levels using information such as recent observations, plant cycles and expected weather conditions. Your weather app may show forecast levels, especially if there is no nearby monitoring station. Because pollen can vary across relatively short distances, the number should be treated as a guide for your area, not a measurement from your backyard. What Is Considered a High Pollen Count? The number considered “high” depends on what is being counted. Tree, grass and weed pollen are measured on different scales. Using commonly applied National Allergy Bureau ranges: Tree pollen is high at 90 to 1,499 grains per cubic meter. It becomes very high at 1,500 or more. Grass pollen is high at 20 to 199 grains per cubic meter. It becomes very high at 200 or more. Weed pollen is high at 50 to 499 grains per cubic meter. It becomes very high at 500 or more. Mold is high at 13,000 to 49,999 spores per cubic meter. It becomes very high at 50,000 or more. That is why a grass-pollen count of 100 can be considered high, while the same number for tree pollen falls into a different category. Why Does Pollen Count Change? Pollen levels can change from one day to the next, and conditions may shift throughout the day. Weather plays a major role: Warm weather can encourage plants to release pollen. Dry conditions help pollen remain airborne. Wind can lift pollen and carry it into new areas. Rain can temporarily wash pollen out of the air. Storms can stir up or break apart pollen particles. The season, location and types of plants growing nearby also affect which allergens are in the air. What Does a High Pollen Count Mean for You? A high count means there is more of that particular allergen in the air, but it does not guarantee that everyone will feel miserable. Your symptoms depend on which pollens affect you, how sensitive you are and how much time you spend outside. Possible symptoms include: Sneezing A runny or stuffy nose Itchy or watery eyes A scratchy throat Coughing Worsening asthma symptoms Pollen exposure can trigger asthma attacks in people whose asthma is sensitive to pollen What Should You Do When Pollen Is High? If the forecast shows high levels for one of your triggers, a few small adjustments may help: Check the pollen forecast before spending extended time outside. Keep windows closed when levels are elevated. Shower and change clothes after being outdoors. Avoid mowing or other activities that stir up pollen. Take allergy or asthma medication as directed by your healthcare provider. Takeaways A pollen count tells you how much tree, grass or weed pollen is in the air near a monitoring location. A pollen forecast estimates how those levels may change based partly on upcoming weather. The higher the level, the more likely sensitive people are to notice symptoms. But the most useful number is not always the overall pollen level. 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