Phoenix allergy forecast: Spring 2023 will be rough for folks with symptoms. Here's why
The desert will look a good bit greener in the coming months thanks to winter rains throughout metro Phoenix.
But people who suffer from seasonal allergy symptoms may not be happy about what that means: a greater profusion of irritants that trigger itchy eyes, runny noses and other annoying effects.
Local allergists expect symptoms to flare up in March and April with the spring growth of trees, weeds and other plants.
A rainier winter than usual sparked this outlook, said Dr. Ronald Jorgensen, physician at Arizona Asthma and Allergy Institute, with locations throughout the Valley.
"Whenever it's a rainy season, you tend to get a lot of growth, especially the weeds in the Valley," he said. "You end up with a high ragweed count in the March-April timeframe, and that adds to the burden of all the allergies out there."
Here's what allergy sufferers can expect in metro Phoenix this spring.
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Is Phoenix getting more rain than usual?
Yes. The National Weather Service recorded 1.25 inches of rain in metro Phoenix in January 2023, exceeding the 10-year average of 0.81 inch. That made it Phoenix's rainiest January in six years.
Phoenix also had above normal rainfall in December 2022. The weather service recorded 1.6 inches of rain that month, above the monthly average of 0.92 inch.
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What months are allergy season in Phoenix?
Given metro Phoenix's mild climate, there's always something growing and it can trigger allergy symptoms during any time of the year.
But Arizona typically has two seasons where allergies tend to be highest: in spring, particularly March and April after a wet winter, when more weeds grow and more plants and trees release pollen; and again in fall after after the monsoon, Jorgensen said.
What allergens are high in Phoenix?
Right now, allergy reports in metro Phoenix range from low to medium. The most recent allergy report from Pollen.com estimated pollen levels at 7.5, or medium-high, for Phoenix. (The highest rating is 12.) That will likely increase as allergy season gets into full swing.
Jorgensen expects ragweed will cause the most trouble for people with seasonal allergy symptoms in the coming months.
Other Arizona plants that cause symptoms include Russian thistle (more commonly known as tumbleweed), mesquite, burrobrush, cocklebur and Arizona ash.
Pollution and dust levels in the air can exacerbate symptoms when they interact with allergens in the environment and increase their potency, Jorgensen said.
How to treat seasonal allergy symptoms
People can use HEPA filters and keep doors and windows shut to prevent allergens from coming into their homes, Jorgensen said.
Antihistamines, such as Zyrtec and Claritin available over the counter, and nasal steroid sprays can help as well, he said.
People can also consider seeing an allergist for allergy testing and allergy shots. The shots work by altering the immune system to reduce the body's sensitivity to allergy triggers, he said.
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Reach the reporter at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @salerno_phx.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Allergy season in Phoenix: Spring 2023 is going to be rough
