Atlanta shatters '99 pollen count record

ATLANTA — The pollen count in Atlanta has broken the record set more than 10 years ago.

Monday's pollen count is 8,164 particles of pollen per cubic meter of air. The previous record, set April 12, 1999, was 6,013 particles of pollen per cubic meter.

Channel 2 meteorologist David Chandley said May-like temperatures are to blame for the increased pollen count.

The average high for this time of year is 66, but highs have reached the low to mid-80s for several days in a row, causing all the trees to pollinate at the same time.

"There is no major cool down ahead, and with little rain in the outlook -- only isolated thunderstorms -- the pollen count is likely to go higher," Chandley said.

Channel 2 meteorologist Karen Minton noted that it is the pollens you do not see that cause allergy symptoms, not the green or yellow pine pollen that can be seen coating cars.

"Pine pollen is a larger pollen than the others, and as a rule, doesn't cause the problems that the other tiny pollens cause," Minton said.

The major pollens in the air on Monday are oak, pine, mulberry, sycamore, sweet gum and birch.

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WSBTV