Pollen count soars to near-record level

By Mike Morris

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta's pollen count continues to soar, reaching a near-record level Wednesday morning.

Wednesday's count was 5,733 particles of pollen per cubic meter of air, more than 2,000 higher than last spring's peak, and only 280 below Atlanta's record reading of 6,013, set on April 12, 1999.

The major pollens present Wednesday morning were birch, oak, pine and sweetgum, according to the Atlanta Allergy & Asthma Clinic, which has been monitoring the city's pollen levels since 1995.

News of the soaring pollen count had metro Atlantans buzzing on Twitter.

"Other states get earthquakes, and we get massive pollen," said Cas Thompson.

"I'll be hiding indoors today," said Trish Peters.

Said Tracey Johnson, "Pollen over 5,000 that means I gotta stay in doors most of the day. YIKES. I'm may need a mask.Maybe some rain will wash this up."

Johnson is likely to get her wish, as rain forecast for Thursday should wash some of the pollen from the air.

"Clouds will be on the increase this afternoon ahead of a system that will bring rain tomorrow," WSB-TV meteorologist Karen Minton said early Wednesday.

The chance of showers and thunderstorms is 80 percent on Thursday, but mostly sunny skies should return on Friday, Minton said.

Atlanta's high Tuesday of 86 degrees set a record for the date, surpassing the old record set in 1929 by 1 degree. The city's normal high for April 6 is 71 degrees.