Why Thunderstorms Can Make Your Pollen Allergies Worse - And What You Can Do About It

There is a smarter way to approach why thunderstorms make pollen, and it starts with knowing a few key details. This guide covers them, along with tips you can apply immediately.

Key Takeaways

• Have you found that allergies worsen during extreme weather?
• It can be due to thunderstorm asthma, also known as thunder fever, when a thunderstorm puts massive amounts of pollen into the air.
• What causes thunderstorm pollen strikes, and what should homeowners do to stay safe?
• Over 80 million people in the US, which is more than a quarter of adults, suffer from seasonal allergies.

Tips That Make a Difference

Worth noting: a thunderstorm pollen spike can cause breathing difficulties, even for people who typically suffer milder symptoms. To learn more about thunderstorm pollen strikes, I spoke with weather and physics experts about the causes, the dangers, and how gardeners can protect themselves during storms.

• Since numerous of the most pollen-producing trees in the US have long been used in landscaping, staying safe is vital for anyone with pollen allergies.
• What Is a Thunderstorm Pollen Spike? (Image credit: Getty Images/EThamPhoto)A thunderstorm pollen spike is not new.
• More importantly, the natural phenomenon has occurred throughout history, but the term thunderstorm asthma has been recognized since the 1980s.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Dr Michael Pravica, physics professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, says multiple conditions during a thunderstorm combine to cause a spike in pollen. The rain creates a powerful force that breaks open pollen grains when it is absorbed, and strong winds carry the tiny particles far and wide.

• 'According to several studies applying single particle fluorescence spectroscopy (Hughes et al.
• Remember that 2020), in a thunderstorm, the pollen is drawn up to the cloud base, where high humidity in the cloud causes the pollen grain to rupture. ‘In one example, the ryegrass pollen grain of about 30 microns in size was fragmented into over 700 particles.
• When this happens, the pollen fragments with allergens can penetrate deeper into the human respiratory tract, causing more severe responses.’ As explained, any pollen stirred up by a thunderstorm can be broken into hundreds or thousands of smaller grains, which are dispersed through the air and breathed in by people.

Is Why Thunderstorms Make Pollen Worth It?

And it can travel a long method to agitate allergy sufferers. ‘Strong winds can increase pollen levels and bring pollen in from much farther away than is typically seen,’ says Alan Reppert, AccuWeather Allergy Expert and Senior Meteorologist. ‘Some storms can bring in pollen from over 100 miles away. Michael PravicaSocial Links NavigationMichael Pravica is an expert in general physics.

• As a rule, he especially enjoys research focused on the study of matter at extreme conditions of high pressure, high temperature, and high radiation flux.
• When Is a Thunderstorm Pollen Spike More Likely? (Image credit: elenaleonova / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images)There are three core pollen spikes annually in the US.
• There is a peak of tree pollen in spring, grass pollen in late spring or summer, and a spike in fall when ragweed, a common weed in the US, releases large levels of pollen.

Where the Real Savings Hide

The exact timings vary depending on location. In short, they are greater during the morning, and reduce when there is no wind to disperse the grains.

• A windy and warm day is likely to see high levels.
• Alan says that rainy days can wash pollen out of the air, including after a storm, and adds: ‘That will assist to bring down pollen levels, one of nature's methods to clean the air.’ Preventative Measures Gardeners Can Take (Image credit: Future)Smaller pollen particles broken into pieces by storms can penetrate deeply into the body and trigger severe reactions.
• The simplest method to protect yourself from thunderstorm pollen spikes is to stay indoors and shut all doors and windows. ‘Apply a solid HEPA air filter that is optimized for filtering pollen inside your home,’ recommends Dr.

A Closer Look at Why Thunderstorms Make Pollen

Worth noting: you can get an air purifier at Amazon optimized for pollen. ‘If you are allergic and go outside, wear a mask (solid ones might be N95 or KN95 masks) and, when going inside, remove your clothes, wash them immediately, rinse your shoes in the sink, and take a shower,' he adds. Some planting techniques can assist to create a low-allergen garden that won’t release so much pollen, even during a storm.

• These types of pollen pose a greater risk than those plants that are insect-pollinated and have highly little pollen production,’ explains Dorothy. ‘Gardeners can limit the planting of ragweed, grasses, and other weedy or invasive species with high pollen production.
• Instead, plants such as roses, blueberries, and other insect-pollinated plants would limit this impact.’ Some of the best low-pollen garden plants to add to your backyard concepts include peonies, roses, snapdragons, joe-pye weed, hydrangeas, tulips, and daffodils.
• More importantly, plants to Shop for a Low-Pollen Garden Pink Double Knock Out Shrub Rose Roses have low pollen counts, and double blooms stop pollen from being released.

What to Know About Why Thunderstorms Make Pollen

This variety has bright pink, fully double blooms that are self-cleaning, so no deadheading of roses is required for a excellent display. Garden Candy Pineapple Fizz Peony Peonies have heavy pollen and rely on insects for pollination, so they are excellent for an allergy-friendly garden.

• This variety grows to three feet and has large yellow semi-double blooms with a citrus fragrance.
• Remember that 'Annabelle' Hydrangeas have heavy pollen that doesn't simply become airborne.
• In particular, 'Annabelle' is a sterile variety that produces little to no pollen.

How Why Thunderstorms Make Pollen Really Works

The white flowers are stunning, but lack pollen and offer little value for pollinators. Picking flowers to grow and cut for displays can be tricky if you garden with allergies.

As a rule, thankfully, there are some fantastic cutting garden flowers you can cultivate that look stunning and won’t trigger your symptoms. Our guide to cut flowers to grow for hayfever sufferers contains a excellent selection to discover. guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I save money on why thunderstorms make pollen?

Compare prices across a few retailers, look for active coupon codes, and time bigger buys around sales events. To learn more about thunderstorm pollen strikes, I spoke with weather and physics experts about the causes, the dangers, and how gardeners can protect themselves during storms.

Is it worth shopping around for why thunderstorms make pollen?

Usually yes. Since numerous of the most pollen-producing trees in the US have long been used in landscaping, staying safe is vital for anyone with pollen allergies.

What should I check before buying?

Read the terms, confirm any code still works, and factor in shipping or returns. What Is a Thunderstorm Pollen Spike? (Image credit: Getty Images/EThamPhoto)A thunderstorm pollen spike is not new.

Smart Ways to Save More on Why Thunderstorms Make Pollen

• Compare the final price including shipping, not just the headline number.
• Check for student, military, or first order offers you may qualify for.
• Time non urgent purchases around major sale events for the deepest cuts.
• Leave items in your cart for a day; some stores send a follow up discount.
• Pair cashback with a coupon so you save twice on the same order.

Final Thoughts

Before you check out, line up why thunderstorms make pollen against current promotions and any codes you can stack. Small habits like these add up to real savings over a year.

Originally published at savingswitch.com.