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The pollen forecast for your area

The weather forecast for your area

Discover our hay fever advice and more information about pollen in your area.

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Pollen Count in Edmonton, Alberta

What is the pollen count in Edmonton today?

Check the pollen count today in Edmonton with Your Pollen Pal. Find out the different local levels to help plan your day in an allergy safe way.

Pollen forecast for Edmonton

Find out Edmonton’s pollen count for the days ahead. Use this information to plan when to head to West Edmonton Mall versus visiting one of the city’s many parks. Make sure your hay fever allergy doesn’t spoil your plans in Edmonton.

Pollen Month-by-Month in Edmonton

Pollen Count by Month Edmonton

  1. January

    2. With snow covering most of Edmonton, this month has a low pollen count. Allergies in January can be attributed to animals or mold. Check out our guide if you’re struggling to distinguish the difference between a winter cold and hay fever!

  2. February

    3. So long as the freezing temperatures continue in Edmonton, pollen seldom makes its presence felt this early in the year.

  3. March

    4. The first month of spring welcomes tree pollen season. Trees in this  season include Cedars, Hazels, Alders, Elms, Maples, Willows, Poplars, Pines and Oaks.

  4. April

    5. Welcoming Kentucky grass, the first representative of the approaching grass pollen season encouraged by April showers. Tree pollen remains the dominant pollen producer in Edmonton during April.

  5. May

    6. Sycamore trees begin pollenating in May, while Kentucky, Bermuda, Johnson, orchard, and Timothy grasses are also spreading their pollen evenly across Edmonton.

  6. June

    7. June welcomes pines, birch and oaks as the primary producers of tree pollen. Joining the pollen party is sweet vernal grass.

  7. July

    8. In July, grass pollen is peaking in Edmonton, while the majority of tree pollen production is coming to an end for another year.

  8. August

    9. The good news is that tree pollen production has peaked with the exception of a few late bloomers. For Edmonton, ragweed is now the dominant pollen producer, along with dock, nettle, mugwort and plantain.

  9. September

    10. Luckily, Ragweed is on the decline which signals that hay fever season is winding down. Feel free to take a deep breath without the runny noses or itchy eyes – and hope that the sun stays around to make the most of it!

  10. October

    11. With any luck, the last of the weed pollen is on its way out, although some may hang around until the first frost of winter in Edmonton.

  11. November

    12. Enjoy the changing leaf colours without your eyes watering: November’s pollen count tends to be low.

  12. December

    13. December brings the first official day of winter in Edmonton, which means traditionally low levels of pollen for the next few months.

Top Causes of Pollen in Edmonton

Trees produce pollen in Edmonton from March until July. Edmonton’s most common tree allergens are Pine, Birch, Alder, Maple, and Poplar trees1. Grass pollen is in the air from April until July as well, followed by weed pollen. Ragweed pollen is the dominant strain in Edmonton, beginning in August through September (or until cooler temperatures take over.)

Pollen count by Pollen Category Edmonton

How to Stay Prepared for Edmonton’s Allergy Season

  • Have a package of Kleenex® Ultra On-the-Go 3-Ply Pocket Facial Tissues ready to comfort your runny or stuffy nose for whenever seasonal allergies strike.
  • Have a pair of sunglasses handy to prevent pollen reaching your eyes.
  • Wash your hands often to remove pollen.
  • Use petroleum jelly around your nostrils and on your upper lip to cut off pollen2.
  • Wear a highly protective, comfortable mask to filter out the possibilities of pollen3.
  • Change your clothes and shower upon returning home to wash off and remove pollen.
  • If you’re looking for a natural solution, nasal breathing exercises can assist those using the standard nasal sprays4 .

Pollen Hotspots in Edmonton

During high pollen months, Edmonton’s many parks are best prepared for or avoided altogether. Specifically, the ever-popular Elk Island National Park, as well as the Muttart Conservatory, William Hawrelak Park, Mill Creek Ravine, Rundle Park, Terwillegar Park and Fort Edmonton Park.

Allergy Friendly Activities in Edmonton

While national parks and outdoor theme parks are thriving scenes for socializing, there are plenty of other things to do in Edmonton away from pollen. We’ve featured just a few of our favourite hay fever-friendly activities in Edmonton, just use Your Pollen Pal to check out the daily levels before you travel!

Indoor Activities

If you’re headed to Edmonton, you’ve likely heard of the biggest tourist attraction the city offers, which happens to be the biggest mall in North America. The mall is home to over 800 stores, 20 restaurants, mini golf, a bowling alley, a skating rink and an underground aquarium.

  • West Edmonton Mall
  • World Water Park
  • Galaxyland
  • High Level Bridge Street Car
  • Muttart Conservatory
  • Winspear Centre

Museums

There’s more to do in Edmonton than visiting West Edmonton Mall! Try one of their fascinating museums for an experience you won’t soon forget.

  • Royal Alberta Museum
  • Art Gallery of Alberta
  • Telus World of Science Museum
  • Alberta Aviation Museum
  • Alberta Railway Museum

Sources:

  1. https://www.aerobiology.ca/fr/collection-site/edmonton-alberta/
  2. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever/
  3. https://now.tufts.edu/articles/are-face-masks-helping-people-allergies
  4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3392338/

Pollen Levels

The following table shows the risk level for each type of pollen derived by applying NAB guidelines to our data and taking percentile values from the extended season for each type of pollen. 

Severity of pollen is dictated by the PPM number, which stands for Pollen Grains Per Cubic Metre. The weather and time of day can also be a big factor when it comes to how the pollen count can affect you. As pollen falls to the ground when the heat dissipates during the evening, this can mean your seasonal allergy symptoms get worse and is why many allergy sufferers have worse symptoms in the night. On rainy days, you’ll find your allergy symptoms are easier to manage as rain tends to wash pollen away.

  • Low
  • Moderate
  • High
  • Critical

Tree Pollen

Tree pollen Icon
  • 0-95
  • 96-207
  • 208-703
  • 704+

Weed Pollen

Weed Pollen Icon
  • 0-20
  • 21-77
  • 78-266
  • 267+

Grass Pollen

Grass pollen Icon
  • 0-29
  • 30-60
  • 61-341
  • 342+

Types of Pollen

We’ve taken a closer look at the types of pollen out there to help you narrow down which ones will have you reaching for the tissues.

  • Ash

    Ash

    Ash trees come in a variety of species (45 to 60 species worldwide), but the most common in Canada is white ash. Ash trees can be found just about anywhere. Unfortunately for allergy sufferers, ash trees can produce pollen at almost any time of year depending on the species, but peak primarily in the spring. Ash tree allergy symptoms you might experience include runny nose, coughing, congestion and sneezing. To help avoid some of these symptoms, do your best to stay indoors. If these symptoms become difficult to manage on your own, ask your doctor if allergy medication might be best for you.
    Peak Season : Spring
  • Birch

    Birch

    Birch trees grow in every region of Canada, making them particularly hard to avoid. Birch tree pollen peaks during March to June across Western, Eastern and Atlantic Canada. If you’re allergic to birch tree pollen, you might experience symptoms like sneezing, nasal congestion, wheezing, runny nose and watery eyes. Sign up for pollen alerts in your area, and help manage your allergy symptoms by keeping your windows and doors closed as much as possible.
    Peak Season : Late Winter to Spring
  • Elm

    Elm

    Elm trees come from a family of about 35 species. They pollinate mostly in February (sometimes as late as April). However, pollination can still occur at any time of year. If you’re allergic to elm trees, you might endure symptoms like sneezing, nasal congestion, wheezing and itchy throat, nose and eyes. Help prevent allergy symptoms by getting personalized pollen alerts and limiting time outdoors when levels are high. You’ll want to wash your bedding and clothes more often too!
    Peak Season : Winter and Late Summer
  • Pine

    Pine

    Pine Trees can be found growing throughout Canada. Fortunately, pine pollen allergies are fairly uncommon, but people can be severely allergic to pine nuts. Pine pollen allergy symptoms can include itchy eyes, runny nose, congestion and coughing. Pine nut allergy symptoms can be as severe as other nut allergies, including symptoms such as anaphylaxis, tightness in the chest and difficulty breathing. To try to evade pine pollen allergies, get personalized alerts about the pollen count in your area and do your best to stay indoors when pine pollen levels are high.
    Peak Season : Spring to Early Summer
  • Poplar

    Poplar

    Poplar trees can be found all over Canada, as it is a popular tree used in landscaping. The most common species of poplar in North America is the Quaking Aspen. Poplar trees typically begin to pollinate in February and continue through May. If you’re suffering from poplar tree allergy symptoms, you might experience coughing, congestion, sneezing and itchy throat, nose and eyes. You can help manage these symptoms by avoiding peak pollen levels with personalized pollen alerts for your area. Cleaning your house often and doing laundry more frequently can also provide relief, as well.
    Peak Season : Spring
  • Juniper

    Juniper

    Juniper trees produce pollen grains about 20 to 30 micrometers in size (making them barely visible to the naked eye), which is small enough to become airborne and impact allergy sufferers from miles and miles away. Symptoms from juniper tree pollen allergies can include congestion, sneezing, sore throat and even dark circles under the eyes! To help relieve some of these symptoms, keep your doors and windows closed, dust and clean more frequently, and wash bedding and clothes more often. When you do step out, wearing a mask might help too.
    Peak Season : Winter to Late Spring
  • Red Maple

    Maple

    Maple trees can be found just about anywhere in the country and are considered an important symbol of Canada. Maple trees pollinate in March and continue through June. Unfortunately, maple tree pollen is extremely allergenic and can travel for miles, making them difficult to avoid for allergy sufferers. If allergic, you might experience symptoms like runny nose, coughing, congestion, sneezing and watery eyes. For a bit of relief, close your windows and doors. Keep your house clean and shower more frequently to ensure pollen doesn’t linger after stepping outside.
    Peak Season : Spring
  • Oak

    Oak

    Oak trees come from a family of 450 species and can be found all over Canada. Oak tree pollen is highly allergenic and has a long allergy season, stretching from February all the way through to July. If you’re allergic to oak tree pollen, you might face allergy symptoms like sneezing, nasal congestion, wheezing and itchy throat, nose and eyes. Be sure to sign up for personalized pollen alerts for your area so you can avoid or limit exposure during peak pollen levels. Clean often and avoid bringing pollen indoors by removing “outside” clothes like shoes, jackets and hats.
    Peak Season : Winter to Spring
  • Ragweed

    Ragweed

    Ragweed is a weed that grows throughout Canada, especially in rural areas. A single ragweed plant can create up to 1 billion pollen grains! This usually happens around August as warm weather, summer breezes and humidity help release their pollen grains. If you're allergic to ragweed, you might face allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, post-nasal drip and itchiness in the eyes, nose and throat. To help keep symptoms at bay, track the pollen count in your area, stay indoors during peak levels and plan ahead when you do step out.
    Peak Season : Late Summer
  • Poaceae

    Poaceae

    Poaceae (pronounced “po-see-ay”) commonly known as the grass family of flowering plants. As it’s a large family (over 12,000 species), Poaceae pollen is the leading cause of pollen allergy worldwide! If you’re allergic to Poaceae, you might experience allergy symptoms like itchy throat, runny nose, sneezing, watering eyes, blocked sinuses and headaches. To help alleviate symptoms, cover up when going out to prevent unnecessary contact and remove all outside clothing when returning indoors, but ultimately, you’ll want to try to refrain from going outside if you can avoid it.
    Peak Season : Late Spring to Early Summer

Show Allergy Season Who’s Boss

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Pollen Faq

Frequently Asked Questions

The pollen tracker pools data from various sources including but not limited to
  1. Local Pollen traps, where available.
  2. Weather data and other anthropogenic factors.
  3. Vegetation related data around your region.
“With such levels of accuracy, we can predict the pollen count on your street for up to five days ahead.” Madhusudhan Anand, Co-Founder & CTO of Ambee

Pollen is a light airborne dust that acts as a fertilizing agent for various plants. Trees, flowers, grass, and weeds all produce pollen, especially during the spring and summer months.

Similar to how the Air Quality Health Index measures pollution in the air, the pollen count is the measure of how much pollen is in the air on a given day. This information is gathered from reporting stations across the country to provide accurate local pollen readings.

It’s not uncommon to think you’ve caught a cold or flu when you actually have allergies. Sometimes referred as hay fever, tree pollen allergies may cause these symptoms: nasal congestion; sinus pressure; runny nose; itchy, watery, red eyes; coughing; scratchy throat; postnasal drip; and fatigue1.

In a word, yes. A study presented at the 249th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS) reported that a pair of air pollutants linked to climate change interact with certain pollens resulting in a change at a chemical level which increases the pollen’s potency. This in turn provokes a more powerful immune response from allergy sufferers.3

Pollen counts are highest on dry, windy days and lower after rainfall or at night – and usually peak between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. and again at dusk, so avoid these times if you plan to be outdoors. If you plan to exercise outside during allergy season, consider wearing a face mask designed to filter out pollens. As soon as you get home, rinse out your nose with saline or ask your doctor about nose sprays to provide relief.

A tree pollen level above 50 is considered high, while one to 10 is considered low. Be sure to check your local pollen count before venturing outside and plan accordingly.