Get the tissues ready.
Accuweather.com is forecasting a stronger-than-normal ragweed season this fall. The popular weather site says ragweed allergies will be particularly bad in the Northeast and upper Midwest, where conditions in September and October are expected to be warm and dry, ideal for ragweed pollen.
The long-range forecast is better for allergy sufferers in the South and West, where above-normal rainfall this fall is expected to put a damper on ragweed pollen counts.
Dry, windy, and warm weather tends to stir up airborne allegens, while wet weather washes pollen away.
Ragweed season starts in the Northeast in mid August and can stretch all the way into November in the South and warmer parts of the country. There are 15 varieties of ragweed in the United States and a single plant can produce millions of grains of pollen per day during an average season.
Ragweed pollen tips:
1. Monitor weed pollen counts in your area. Rural areas tend to have more ragweed plants, raising pollen levels before dawn. Urban areas tend to have less ragweed so pollen levels do not elevate until late morning. Weed pollen counts are highest on dry, hot, and windy days.
2. Clear brush and weeds from your yard as often as possible. Wearing a pollen-filtering mask is also a good idea when doing yard work.
3. A thick, well-maintained layer of mulch can help inhibit weed growth in landscaped areas and gardens.
4. Nasal rinsing with a product like Alkalol Nasal Wash once or twice a day (morning and night or after you’ve been outside) is a great way to quickly and effectively wash away weed pollens.
5. Keep windows closed during peak pollen times and use an air conditioner, if available, to help clean, cool, and dry the air.