Pollen Count in Rochester, NY

Rochester, NY sits along Lake Ontario in a humid continental climate, giving it a compressed but intense allergy calendar shaped by cold winters, wet springs, and lake-influenced humidity. The season typically begins in late March and runs through October, with pollen counts amplified by the region's abundant deciduous forests and agricultural surroundings.

Tree pollen drives the earliest and often most severe wave, peaking from April through May, with maple, birch, oak, ash, cottonwood, elm, and beech among the dominant local offenders. As tree counts fade in late May, grass pollen takes over through June and July, led by timothy, Kentucky bluegrass, orchard grass, and ryegrass—common in the Finger Lakes area's fields, lawns, and hayfields.

Late summer and fall bring weed pollen, peaking from mid-August through the first hard frost, typically in October. Ragweed is the primary culprit, joined by pigweed, lamb's quarters, plantain, and sagebrush. Overlap between late-season grasses and early ragweed in August can significantly intensify symptoms.

Beyond pollen, Rochester's high humidity and frequent lake-effect precipitation promote persistent outdoor and indoor mold, particularly Alternaria and Cladosporium, while damp basements and snowy winters concentrate dust mite exposure. Overall, Rochester's allergy profile is defined by strong tree and ragweed peaks layered over year-round mold pressure.