Allergy sufferers, you aren’t imagining things: Anchorage’s birch pollen is sky high right now

On Wednesday, local monitors recorded the highest pollen count in five years, an off-the-charts 963 grains per cubic meter. By comparison, a high pollen count is anything over 90. The count soared to 1,280 as of Thursday.

AI Comment from GPT 4.1:

This year’s record-breaking birch pollen counts in Anchorage continue a trend of intense, early, and sometimes unprecedented pollen seasons. Observations over the past decade repeatedly show that both Anchorage and Fairbanks are subject to some of the world’s highest tree pollen levels, especially from birch (Birch pollen count breaks 'world record' in Fairbanks, Pollen Tornado). Several posts, including from 2016 and 2022, document growing season variability—sometimes with an early start (Sneezes, wheezes, tears: What's in store for this spring's allergy season?, March Pollen and Active Honey Bees (Apis))—likely driven by climate conditions such as warm springs and milder winters. Past posts also highlight coinfections and overlapping symptoms during pollen events, such as confusion with COVID-19 symptoms and concerns for air quality (Pollen Levels Elevated in Anchorage, Pollen Makes for Poor Air Quality). > As noted in The worst of Anchorage’s allergy season may be over, two of Alaska’s only ‘pollen hunters’ say, allergy sufferers can expect further challenges with weeds, grasses, and molds after the birch pollen peak. Strategies for coping include monitoring local pollen reports, managing indoor air quality (HEPA filters, closed windows), and staying informed about pollen's impact on respiratory health. Given the frequency and severity of recent events, ongoing community reporting remains vital for understanding and responding to these environmental patterns.