7:24 PM Sat, May 12, 2007 | Permalink
KGW Meteorologist Joe Michaels
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Some of you probably have allergies to one thing or another. If you're allergic to grass pollen, you should probably be getting ready to sneeze and sniffle! Our region is beautiful, but our ample rain and mild climate allows grass to grow well. And large grass farms and grass crops all across our region produce lots...and lots...of grass pollen. In fact, the concentration of grass pollen is about to really shoot up...and it will peak in the early part of June.
The reason grass allergies can be so intense is that a grain of grass pollen can actually break up into tiny little parts...and those parts are small enough to get past air filters and into our homes...places where our allergies would typically be a bit more bearable.
You can actually see what a grain of grass pollen looks like in this picture.
At least we get to live in one of the most beautiful places in the country! Dealing with allergies seems like a decent trade off...right? =)
I am so fortunate to have no allergies! I wonder what I can thank that for?
Joe, do you have a grass allergy?
Hey Michael,
Yep, you caught me - I definitely have an allergy to grass pollen! It hasn't acted up in years, but I have definitely noticed it since relocating to Portland. Not a biggie, though - I really do love it here - in my opinion, one of the most beautiful places in the country. So I'll deal with the allergies. =)
Joe,
My car and deck are dusted with something yellow. Is that grass pollen? I certainly sympathize with your allergy issue. Thanks,
Allison
Hi, Allison,
I spoke with an allergy specialist today, and the yellow pollen that tends to cover things is actually tree pollen. Grass pollen is usually too small to be seen.
Joe-
Are grass pollen (or any) levels lower at the beach or in the mountains in Oregon. It seems like my allergies are less severe at Seaside.
-cp
Along the coast the wind flow often pushes in off the Pacific Ocean. That circulation will typically help keep the atmosphere clear of a lot of pollen. As you get farther inland, though, you tend to lose that cleaning effect of the Pacific flow...and so the pollen gathers!