Brace yourself, this year’s allergy season could get even worse – The Weather Network

The Weather Network’s summer forecast is out! And with a hot and humid summer ahead for millions, this means allergy season could become worse. That’s according to Daniel Coates, the director of the pollen research lab at Atobiology Research Laboratories.

“With a good balance of rain and heat, you will see a lot more pollen released into the air,” cautions Coates. 

Parts of southern Ontario, including the Greater Toronto Area, saw an above-average mulberry boom in May, which got the allergies going for many. Now the aerobiology lab is watching pine circulate throughout the country. 

“Pine, we are going to see throughout June, and it’s only going to elevate,” says Coates. “That’s the yellow stuff you see all over your cars and furniture. But as the pine goes down, we will start to see grass season and weed season come up. And that will last right through the fall, including August, September, and October.”

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And yes, weed season means the return of ragweed. And ragweed loves heat. 

“We could see a really bad season for ragweed allergy sufferers this year,” adds Coates. “Ragweed does like rain, like most trees and grasses. They thrive when they get good rain and then nice dry spells. Based on weather forecasting, that does appear to be the situation in Ontario, Quebec, and Eastern Canada.