Allergies in Austin

Austin's Allergy Problem

Austin consistently ranks among the worst cities in America for allergies. The combination of geography, climate, and vegetation creates a near-continuous pollen assault from December through May, with cedar and oak as the primary culprits. Hundreds of thousands of Central Texans suffer from seasonal allergies, and newcomers often develop symptoms within their first 1-3 years of exposure.

Cedar Fever Season

Mountain cedar (Ashe Juniper) is Austin's most notorious allergen. Despite its name, cedar fever rarely causes actual fever — but it can produce intense symptoms: sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, sore throat, and profound fatigue. Cedar season runs from mid-December through mid-February, with peak counts in January when cold fronts trigger massive pollen releases.

Pollen counts during peak cedar season routinely exceed 5,000 grains/m³ in Austin, with some days topping 8,000-10,000. For context, most allergy sufferers begin noticing symptoms at just 50 grains/m³. Austin sits at the eastern edge of the Hill Country, directly in the drift path of millions of juniper trees — a geographic perfect storm for allergy sufferers.

Oak Pollen Season

Just as cedar season winds down in February, oak pollen ramps up. Live oak and red oak trees produce significant pollen from late February through April, creating a one-two punch that keeps Austin allergy sufferers reaching for antihistamines well into spring. Oak pollen is heavy and visible — you'll see it coating cars, sidewalks, and windowsills in a fine yellow-green dust.

Year-Round Tracking

Our allergy tools provide real-time pollen counts sourced from local monitoring stations and the Google Pollen API. We track cedar, oak, grass, and mold spore levels so you can make informed decisions about outdoor activities, medication timing, and window management.