Allergies may improve this week as pollen counts go down, rain returns

Josh Cozart
·1 min read

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Allergy sufferers may find some relief this week as rain returns to the forecast.

Itchy eyes and runny noses will continue for those impacted by seasonal allergies this week. Warm, dry and sunnier weather will only help push more pollen into the atmosphere Monday and Tuesday around Portland.

<em>Portland’s pollen counts are expected to decrease Thursday and Friday as rain returns to the forecast</em>
Portland’s pollen counts are expected to decrease Thursday and Friday as rain returns to the forecast

Pollen counts have remained high over the last few weeks as spring continues to bloom. Some allergy relief is likely by the end of the week as rain returns to the Portland-Vancouver metro area. Pollen levels are still expected to sit in the moderate zone Thursday and Friday, but antihistamine users will take any improvements that come their way.

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Rain showers help keep pollen particles weighed down on flowers. Additional flower pollen is not the only pollen that is cleared from the air in the Pacific Northwest during rain showers. Rain acts like a cleanser, helping to wash away excess pollen that’s been suspended in the air.

<em>KOIN 6 Meteorologist Josh Cozart shares Portland’s latest cooling trend as rain returns to the region later this week</em>
KOIN 6 Meteorologist Josh Cozart shares Portland’s latest cooling trend as rain returns to the region later this week

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Lower pollen counts will likely continue through the weekend as a few light rain showers remain in the forecast. Pollen counts will remain high as long as the spring bloom continues and temperatures become warmer and drier in months to come.

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