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Pollen and climate change
Climate change may affect how much pollen is in the air, when pollen seasons occur and how long they last.
Changes to pollen levels and seasons may affect people with pollen allergies, including people who experience hay fever or pollen-related asthma.
The amount and type of pollen in the air is influenced by factors including:
- temperature
- rainfall
- carbon dioxide levels
- weather conditions
- the types of plants growing in an area.
What this can mean for your health
Changes to the timing, amount or duration of pollen in the air may change when people are exposed to pollen and experience symptoms.
For people who are sensitive to pollen, this may affect:
- when hay fever and asthma symptoms occur
- how long symptoms last
- the severity of symptoms during some pollen seasons.
Learn more about managing your pollen symptoms.
Pollen monitoring
Pollen monitoring can be combined with weather information to forecast pollen risk, helping people who are sensitive to pollen manage their exposure.
Monitoring pollen over time also helps build our understanding of when different pollen types are present in South Australia and how pollen levels and patterns change during the season.
Check the pollen forecast between October and December each year for metropolitan Adelaide.