Sick of Spring allergies? Get ready for more pollen following today's rain

Spring allergies are nothing to sneeze at! Allergens have been evident over the past couple of days and those plagued by pollen have been feeling the pain. We’ll see a bit of a break today as rain showers move through, but things only get worse the rest of the week.

Our pollen count falls to a medium level today with these passing showers but jumps back to a high level for the rest of the week. Anyone who suffers from allergies will want to avoid spending too much time outdoors and will need to have tissues handy.

Tree pollen is by far the worst allergen right now with ash, birch, and poplar trees taking first place. Dust, dander, and mold will also be problematic with moderate ratings. Many people, especially those with asthma, could experience congestion and sinus pressure.

Showers may bring temporary relief, but rain can often make your allergies even worse when things dry out. Raindrops are able to break up clumps of pollen, making the clumps smaller but more numerous. Smaller pollen clusters can be more easily carried through the air, spreading allergens far and wide. Rain also helps pollen-producing plants to grow, adding even more pollen to our air in the long run.

Light rain today will help to wash down some pollen, but allergy levels shoot up after showers move out. Those with allergies can expect an increase in issues over the next couple of days following today’s rain.