Across several parts of the country, spring has sprung, meaning that many Americans will soon be planning out their allergy medication as pollen starts to pop up once again.
According to the latest forecasts from AccuWeather meteorologist Alan Reppert, pollen counts are expected to be higher than average in 39 states this allergy season.
The first allergen expected to make an appearance is tree pollen, which may already be starting to irritate sinuses in certain parts of the country. AccuWeather reports that tree pollen usually comes earliest in southern states, around early April. It then moves north through the start of June.
Following tree pollen is grass pollen, which peaks between May and July, depending on where you live.
Third up on the seasonal allergen calendar is weed pollen, which is expected to cause issues from mid-to-late summer.
To best prepare yourself, AccuWeather compiled three maps that show when common allergens are expected to peak across the continental U.S.
In the Pacific Northwest and New England regions, residents should expect the worst when it comes to grass pollen, according to the forecasts. Meanwhile, weed pollen is expected to be the roughest in southern and gulf states.
Depending on this year’s tropical storm season, AccuWeather noted that the weed pollen season could extend past its usual time.
But if you feel like allergy season has gotten even worse in recent years, you aren’t wrong, as Climate Central reported that 87% of nearly 200 studies found that allergy season has worsened since the 1970s.
Another study linked increased carbon dioxide on ragweed plants and in the environment to an increase in pollen production, meaning allergy season could also be getting more intense.