Warm Weather Brings Record Pollen Count

ATLANTA,None — If you think it's a little early for high pollen levels and everything that comes with them, you're right.

LINK: Atlanta Pollen Count Allergy Season Hits With Full Force

"Off the charts," Dr. Kevin Schaffer of Atlanta's Allergy and Asthma Clinic told Severe Weather Team 2 meteorologist David Chandley while describing Wednesday's pollen count. 742 was the number due to the tree pollen of alder, cedar and elm trees. Thursday's count was 607.

Schaffer told Chandley that in his 18 years here in Atlanta he has never seen the count so high, so early in the pollen season.

"When we have a cold winter, the trees go on lockdown for protection. So when the temperatures spike, the trees burst on the scene at once. I have never seen it like this, and our worst tree pollen producers -- oak, hickory, and pecan are still a month away from leafing out."

Chandley said milder temperatures will stay with us for the next 10 days, so Schaffer expects the pollen counts to increase even more.

"I am amazed, this is all happening crazy early," said Schaffer.

Peek pollen season is late March into early April, so higher totals are yet to come.

WSBTV