Unusually Warm Temperatures Lead To Early High Pollen Counts

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Unusually warm temperatures have led to high pollen counts just a few days into February.

Unusually warm temperatures have led to high pollen counts just a few days into February. 

So far this month, temperatures in Atlanta are more than 10 degrees above normal. Both Augusta and Macon are up by around 7 degrees. Athens, Columbus and Savannah are also seeing higher temperatures.

State climatologist Bill Murphey said it's also been wet, causing trees and plants to flower ahead of schedule.

"Rainfall amounts have also helped the early blooming along with these warmer temperatures,” Murphey said.

That’s driving more people to visit doctors, like Stanley Fineman, an allergist with Atlanta Allergy and Asthma.

"Patients who have springtime pollen allergies are having their symptoms earlier than usual,” Fineman said. “Because of the fact that the pollen counts are so high they're having more intense symptoms." 

The pollen count in Atlanta more than quadrupled from Tuesday to Wednesday. Atlanta Allergy and Asthma registered the count at 260. The top contributors were juniper, alder, elm, birch and maple trees.

Wednesday’s count was also the highest for the metro area since May of last year.