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Real-time pollen data for Buffalo — updated daily.
Buffalo's position in the Great Lakes deciduous forest region provides one of the most diverse tree pollen profiles in the northeastern United States. The compressed growing season — where winter holds late and spring arrives in a rush — means multiple tree species that pollinate sequentially in milder climates instead overlap in Buffalo, creating concentrated pollen bursts. Maple trees (red maple, sugar maple, and box elder) are among the first to pollinate, often beginning in late March during warm spells before leaves have emerged. Elm trees release pollen in early spring, sometimes overlapping with late maple pollination. Birch is one of Buffalo's most potent tree allergens — white birch and paper birch produce lightweight, highly reactive pollen in April and May that triggers some of the most severe tree pollen allergies. Oak trees (red oak, white oak, and bur oak) produce the highest volume of tree pollen, coating outdoor surfaces in visible yellow-green dust from late April through May. Ash, hickory, walnut, and beech contribute pollen through May and into June. Cottonwood and poplar trees grow along the Buffalo River, Niagara River, and creek corridors, producing visible cotton-like seed dispersal in late spring. Pine trees add large quantities of visible yellow pollen, though pine grains are larger and less allergenic than hardwood species. The city's extensive park system — Delaware Park (350 acres), South Park, Cazenovia Park, and the Olmsted Park System designed by Frederick Law Olmsted — contains dense canopy of mature deciduous trees that produce concentrated pollen loads. Buffalo's growing season has extended by approximately 17 days over the past 50 years due to climate change, meaning tree pollen season now starts earlier and lasts longer than it did a generation ago.
Grass pollen season in Buffalo runs from late May through July, with peak counts typically in June. Timothy grass is the dominant grass allergen in western New York, producing highly allergenic pollen that affects a significant percentage of the population. Kentucky bluegrass is the standard residential lawn grass throughout Buffalo and its suburbs, pollinating from May through July. Ryegrass and orchard grass are common in parks, athletic fields, and maintained landscapes throughout Erie County. Fescue contributes additional grass pollen. Buffalo's neighborhood parks, the extensive grounds of the University at Buffalo campuses, the maintained fields at Sahlen Field and Highmark Stadium in nearby Orchard Park, and residential lawns across the metro area all produce grass pollen during the warm months. The Lake Erie shoreline and Niagara River corridor create humidity that promotes vigorous grass growth, extending the growing season and increasing pollen output compared to inland areas at the same latitude. June — when tree pollen is declining but grass pollen is surging — often produces some of Buffalo's highest combined pollen counts. The overlap of late oak pollen with emerging grass pollen makes late May through mid-June an especially difficult period for allergy sufferers with multiple sensitivities.
Ragweed is Buffalo's dominant fall allergen and one of the most significant triggers of seasonal allergy misery in western New York. Ragweed season typically begins in mid-August and continues through the first hard frost, which has been arriving progressively later as climate change extends autumn warmth. A single ragweed plant produces up to a billion pollen grains per season, and the lightweight pollen travels on winds across the flat terrain between Lake Erie and the Niagara Escarpment. Ragweed grows prolifically in disturbed soils, vacant lots, railroad corridors, and along the extensive network of creek and river corridors in Erie County. Pigweed (amaranth), lamb's quarters, dock, sorrel, and nettle contribute additional fall weed pollen. Mugwort and sagebrush affect sensitive individuals. Buffalo's older industrial zones — former grain elevator sites along the Buffalo River, abandoned railroad corridors, brownfield sites in the East Side and South Buffalo — provide ideal disturbed-soil habitat for ragweed. The warmer autumn temperatures driven by climate change have extended Buffalo's ragweed season by an estimated two to three weeks compared to 50 years ago, with the first killing frost arriving later and allowing ragweed to pollinate longer into October. Dr. Roland Honeine, an allergist with Buffalo Medical Group, has noted that pollen counts have been steadily increasing over the last decade, with patients presenting more severe and prolonged symptoms each year.
Mold is a particularly significant allergen in Buffalo due to Lake Erie's influence on regional humidity. The lake creates a moisture-rich microclimate across Erie County that promotes mold growth for much of the year. Lake-effect weather patterns — the same phenomenon responsible for Buffalo's legendary snowstorms — also produce lake-effect rain, fog, and elevated humidity during warmer months that keep outdoor surfaces damp and mold-friendly. Alternaria, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium are common outdoor mold species in western New York. Seasonal flooding along the Buffalo River, Cazenovia Creek, and Scajaquada Creek promotes mold growth in low-lying neighborhoods. Fallen leaves in autumn create extensive organic substrate for mold, which remains active until buried by snow. Buffalo's housing stock is one of the oldest in the country — a significant percentage of homes were built before 1950, with older construction methods that are susceptible to basement moisture, poor ventilation, and mold growth. The city's century-old brick and wood-frame homes, while architecturally significant, often lack modern moisture barriers. Dust mites thrive in heated indoor environments during Buffalo's long winter months (typically November through March). Pet dander is a persistent year-round trigger. The transition from outdoor to indoor allergen dominance is particularly abrupt in Buffalo, where the first heavy snowfall can shift the allergen profile from ragweed and mold to dust mites and indoor mold within a single week.
Severity: Low (outdoor) / Moderate (indoor)
Buffalo's harsh winters provide the most definitive outdoor allergy relief of any season. Heavy snowfall, freezing temperatures, and frozen ground eliminate pollen and suppress outdoor mold. However, indoor allergens intensify dramatically during what can be a five-month heating season. Dust mites, pet dander, and indoor mold (especially in older homes with basement moisture issues) are the primary triggers. Buffalo's older housing stock — many homes dating to the early 1900s — often has aging furnaces and ductwork that circulate dust and mold spores. The tight seal Buffalonians maintain against winter cold reduces ventilation and concentrates indoor allergens. By late March, early tree pollination begins during warm spells — maple and elm can release pollen during brief thaws even while snow remains on the ground. Climate change has shifted these first pollen events earlier, with measurable pollen appearing in mid-March in recent years compared to early April a generation ago.
Severity: Severe
Buffalo's spring pollen season is one of the most intense in the country, and the compressed growing season is the reason. In milder climates, tree species pollinate in an orderly sequence spread over months. In Buffalo, the late arrival of warm temperatures means multiple species bloom nearly simultaneously once spring finally breaks through. April brings overlapping maple, elm, and birch pollen. May adds oak — the single highest-volume tree allergen — along with ash, hickory, and cottonwood. By late May, grass pollen surges as Timothy grass, bluegrass, and ryegrass enter peak pollination. June sees the overlap of late tree pollen with peak grass pollen, producing some of the highest combined pollen counts of the year. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has ranked Buffalo as the 8th worst allergy city in the nation, and this compressed spring explosion is a primary reason. Lake Erie's moderating influence can delay spring onset slightly compared to inland areas, but once warm weather arrives, the moisture the lake provides accelerates plant growth and pollen production. Morning humidity from the lake can trap pollen at ground level in waterfront and near-lake neighborhoods.
Severity: Moderate to High
July brings declining grass pollen but steady mold counts as Lake Erie humidity promotes outdoor mold growth throughout the summer. August marks the beginning of ragweed season — Buffalo's second major pollen peak. By September, ragweed counts are at their highest, producing severe symptoms for a significant portion of the population. Climate change has been extending this ragweed season — warmer autumn temperatures delay the first hard frost, allowing ragweed to pollinate longer into October. Mold remains elevated through summer and fall, fed by Lake Erie moisture and seasonal rainfall. The combination of ragweed, mold, and residual grass pollen makes late August through September one of Buffalo's most challenging periods. Lake-effect weather patterns during early fall can produce extended periods of clouds, rain, and elevated humidity that keep mold counts high. Thunderstorms can break pollen grains into smaller particles that penetrate deeper into airways, triggering "thunderstorm asthma" events.
Severity: Moderate (October) declining to Low (December)
October brings declining ragweed as overnight temperatures approach freezing. The first hard frost — now arriving later in the month than in previous decades — definitively ends outdoor pollen season. Mold remains elevated through October and into early November as fallen leaves decompose in damp autumn conditions before snow cover arrives. Late October through November marks the rapid transition from outdoor to indoor allergen dominance. As Buffalonians close windows, turn on furnaces, and seal homes for winter, dust mites, pet dander, and indoor mold become the primary triggers. The lake-effect snow season typically begins in November, and early snowstorms can trap people indoors with concentrated indoor allergens. December provides outdoor pollen relief but marks the height of indoor allergen exposure. For allergy sufferers, the fall-to-winter transition is the ideal time to begin treatment, building immune tolerance before the next spring pollen explosion.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has ranked Buffalo among the top 10 worst allergy cities in the United States. This ranking surprises many people who associate severe allergies with southern or subtropical climates, but Buffalo's combination of factors creates an unusually challenging environment. The compressed growing season packs pollen that would be spread across months in milder climates into a few explosive weeks. The Great Lakes deciduous forest provides exceptional tree species diversity — and exceptional tree pollen diversity. Lake Erie's moisture promotes mold growth across the region. Climate change is extending the growing season by approximately 17 days, with Dr. Roland Honeine of Buffalo Medical Group noting steadily increasing pollen counts over the last decade. Over-the-counter allergy medication use in the Buffalo metro area ranks among the highest in the nation. The number of board-certified allergists serving the region, while adequate, faces growing demand as allergy seasons intensify and more residents seek specialist care.
Lake Erie defines Buffalo's climate in ways that directly impact allergy sufferers. The same lake-effect moisture system that produces Buffalo's legendary snowstorms also creates elevated humidity during warmer months. This humidity promotes mold growth on outdoor surfaces, in soil, and on vegetation throughout Erie County. Lake-effect rain events during spring and summer saturate the ground and create conditions for mold blooms. Morning fog rolling off the lake can trap pollen and mold spores at ground level in waterfront neighborhoods, along the Outer Harbor, and in communities near the Niagara River. The lake moderates temperatures, which slightly delays spring onset but extends autumn warmth — providing ragweed a longer pollination window before the first hard frost. Neighborhoods closest to the lake — the Elmwood Village, downtown waterfront, South Buffalo, and Lackawanna — experience higher humidity and potentially greater mold exposure than inland suburbs in towns like Clarence, Lancaster, or East Aurora. Understanding your neighborhood's proximity to the lake and its moisture influence helps predict your specific mold exposure.
Buffalo has experienced one of the most measurable impacts of climate change on allergy seasons in the northeastern United States. Over the past 50 years, the number of frost-free days has increased by approximately 17 days, extending the growing season by over two weeks. This means trees pollinate earlier in spring and ragweed pollinates later into fall, compressing what was once a meaningful winter relief period. Spring-like conditions arrive sooner, triggering earlier maple and elm pollination in March rather than April. Fall's first killing frost arrives later, allowing ragweed to produce pollen through late October. The net effect is a pollen season that has expanded at both ends while maintaining its intense compressed peak in spring. Research shows that rising CO2 levels also increase the amount of pollen each plant produces, meaning individual ragweed and grass plants are generating more pollen grains than they did a generation ago. For Buffalo residents who remember shorter, less intense allergy seasons in their youth, this isn't imagination — the data confirms their experience. The trend is expected to continue, with allergy seasons becoming progressively longer and more severe.
Buffalo's most distinctive allergy characteristic is the compressed spring pollen explosion. In cities with milder, more gradual seasonal transitions — Nashville, Charlotte, Atlanta — tree species pollinate in orderly sequence: maple in February, oak in March, birch in April, each getting its turn. In Buffalo, the long winter holds all vegetation dormant until warm temperatures finally arrive, typically in mid-April. When spring breaks through, the accumulated thermal energy triggers near-simultaneous blooming across multiple species. Maple, elm, birch, oak, and ash can all be releasing pollen within the same two-to-three-week window. This compressed release creates combined pollen counts that can match or exceed cities in the southern United States, despite Buffalo's shorter total pollen season. Add grass pollen beginning in late May, and the April-through-June period represents one of the most concentrated pollen exposures in North America. For allergy sufferers with sensitivities to multiple tree and grass species, this compression means there's no pause between triggers — just an unrelenting peak that lasts roughly eight to ten weeks before summer heat and declining pollen provide relief.
Buffalo's historic character shapes its allergen environment in specific ways. The Olmsted Park System — designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and including Delaware Park, South Park, Cazenovia Park, and the connecting parkways — represents one of the most significant urban park systems in the United States. These parks contain mature deciduous trees that are over a century old, producing concentrated tree pollen that affects adjacent neighborhoods. The parkway system, with its tree-lined boulevards connecting the parks, creates pollen corridors through residential neighborhoods. Buffalo's housing stock is among the oldest in the country. Many homes in neighborhoods like the Elmwood Village, Allentown, North Buffalo, and South Buffalo were built in the early 1900s. These architecturally significant homes often have basements susceptible to moisture intrusion, limited ventilation systems, and aging construction that promotes indoor mold growth. During the long heating season (November through March), these older homes can accumulate indoor allergens at higher levels than modern construction with better moisture barriers and ventilation. If you live in one of Buffalo's historic homes, investing in a dehumidifier for your basement and HEPA air filtration can significantly reduce indoor mold and dust mite exposure.
HeyAllergy offers telemedicine appointments with board-certified allergists and immunologists licensed in New York. Book a virtual consultation from anywhere in the Buffalo metro — Erie County, Niagara County, or anywhere in western New York — and connect from home using your phone, tablet, or computer. Have allergy blood tests ordered at a convenient local lab and receive a personalized treatment plan based on your specific triggers. HeyPak sublingual immunotherapy drops ship directly to your door and treat the root cause of allergies by building tolerance to the specific allergens triggering your symptoms — whether birch, oak, Timothy grass, ragweed, mold, dust mites, or pet dander. In a city ranked among the top 10 worst for allergies nationally, treating the underlying sensitivity is the most effective path to relief.
April through June is the worst period, when Buffalo's compressed growing season causes multiple tree and grass species to pollinate simultaneously. Oak, birch, maple, and ash overlap with surging Timothy grass and bluegrass. August through September brings a second peak from ragweed. Climate change has extended both ends of the season by approximately 17 days over the past 50 years.
The most common allergens in Buffalo are birch, oak, maple, Timothy grass, bluegrass, ragweed, mold (Alternaria, Cladosporium, Aspergillus), dust mites, and pet dander. Ash, elm, hickory, cottonwood, pigweed, dock, and sorrel also affect residents. A blood allergy test identifies your specific triggers.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has ranked Buffalo 8th worst nationally. The compressed spring season causes multiple tree species to bloom simultaneously rather than sequentially. Lake Erie moisture promotes mold growth. Climate change is extending the growing season, and over-the-counter allergy medication use in the metro ranks among the highest in the nation.
Yes. HeyAllergy provides telemedicine appointments with board-certified allergists and immunologists licensed in New York. Book a virtual consultation from anywhere in the state, have allergy blood tests ordered at a lab near you, and start a personalized treatment plan without visiting a clinic. No referral needed and no waitlist.
HeyPak sublingual immunotherapy uses customized liquid drops placed under your tongue daily. The drops contain precise doses of the specific allergens triggering your symptoms — whether birch, oak, Timothy grass, ragweed, dust mites, or mold. Over time, your immune system builds tolerance, reducing allergic reactions and medication dependence. Most patients notice improvement within 3 to 6 months.
HeyAllergy accepts Medicare and most major PPO health plans, including United Healthcare, Health Net, Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Shield, Cigna, Aetna, Humana, Oscar, and Tricare. Contact your insurance provider with Tax ID: 85-0834175 to confirm your specific telemedicine coverage.
Yes. Lake Erie's moisture creates elevated humidity across Erie County that promotes mold growth for much of the year. Lake-effect weather patterns produce rain, fog, and humidity during warmer months. Morning fog can trap pollen and mold at ground level in waterfront neighborhoods. The lake moderates temperatures, slightly delaying spring but extending autumn warmth and ragweed season.
HeyAllergy offers fast scheduling with no waitlist. Book a telemedicine appointment with a board-certified allergist and connect from home using your phone, tablet, or computer. Buffalo and western New York residents can access specialist allergy care immediately without waiting weeks for a local opening.
Buffalo, New York — population approximately 280,000 in the city, over 1.1 million in the metro area — is one of the most surprising entries on any list of America's worst allergy cities. Known for lake-effect snowstorms, chicken wings, and a fierce winter that keeps the city frozen from November through March, Buffalo seems like an unlikely allergy hotspot. Yet the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has ranked Buffalo 8th worst in the nation for allergy sufferers. The reasons are rooted in geography, ecology, and a changing climate that is progressively making Buffalo's allergy seasons longer and more intense. The city sits at the eastern end of Lake Erie at the headwaters of the Niagara River, in the heart of the Great Lakes deciduous forest — one of the most biodiverse temperate forest regions in North America. This botanical richness, combined with Lake Erie's moisture, a compressed growing season, and a climate that is measurably warming, creates an allergy environment that rivals cities far to the south.
Buffalo's most distinctive allergy phenomenon is the compressed spring pollen explosion. In cities with gradual seasonal transitions, tree species pollinate in orderly sequence spread across months. In Buffalo, the long winter holds vegetation dormant until warm temperatures arrive, typically in mid-April. When spring breaks through, the stored thermal energy triggers near-simultaneous blooming across multiple species that would pollinate weeks apart in milder climates. Maple, elm, birch, oak, and ash can all be releasing pollen within the same two-to-three-week window. This compressed release creates combined pollen counts that rival cities in the southeastern United States despite Buffalo's much shorter total growing season. Add surging grass pollen from Timothy grass, bluegrass, and ryegrass by late May, and the April-through-June period represents one of the most concentrated pollen exposures in North America. For allergy sufferers sensitive to multiple tree species, the compression eliminates the breathing room that exists between pollen peaks in milder climates — there's no pause, just an unrelenting eight-to-ten-week peak.
Lake Erie is the defining geographic influence on Buffalo's climate and allergy profile. The same lake-effect system that produces legendary snowstorms creates elevated humidity during warmer months that promotes mold growth across Erie County. Lake-effect rain events during spring and summer saturate the ground, creating conditions for mold blooms on outdoor surfaces, in soil, and on vegetation. Morning fog rolling off the lake traps pollen and mold spores at ground level in waterfront neighborhoods, along the Outer Harbor, and in communities near the Niagara River. The lake's thermal mass moderates temperatures, which slightly delays spring onset but extends autumn warmth — giving ragweed a longer window to pollinate before the first killing frost. Alternaria, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium mold species thrive in the moisture-rich Lake Erie microclimate. Seasonal flooding along the Buffalo River, Cazenovia Creek, and Scajaquada Creek promotes mold growth in low-lying neighborhoods. Fallen leaves in autumn create extensive organic substrate for mold, which remains active until buried by snow. For a city associated with harsh winters and snow, the role of moisture and mold in Buffalo's allergy burden is one of the most underappreciated factors in the region's respiratory health profile.
Buffalo has experienced one of the most measurable impacts of climate change on allergy seasons in the northeastern United States. Over the past 50 years, the freeze-free growing season has extended by approximately 17 days. Trees pollinate earlier in spring — measurable pollen now appears in mid-March in some years compared to early April a generation ago. The first killing frost arrives later in fall, allowing ragweed to produce pollen into late October. Research shows that elevated CO2 levels increase the amount of pollen each plant produces. Buffalo's allergists have documented steadily increasing pollen counts over the last decade, with patients presenting more severe and prolonged symptoms each year. The combination of a longer season and more intense pollen production creates a compounding effect: each year is slightly worse than the last. For residents who remember shorter, milder allergy seasons in their youth, this progression is not imagination — it's quantified in climate data and pollen monitoring records. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America's consistently high ranking for Buffalo reflects this ongoing intensification.
Buffalo's historic character shapes its allergen environment in distinctive ways. The Olmsted Park System — designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (who also designed New York City's Central Park) and including Delaware Park, South Park, Cazenovia Park, Front Park, and the connecting parkways — represents one of the most significant urban park systems in the United States. These parks contain mature deciduous trees exceeding a century in age that produce concentrated tree pollen affecting adjacent neighborhoods. The Olmsted parkways, with their tree-lined boulevards connecting the parks, create pollen corridors through residential areas. Buffalo's housing stock is among the oldest in the country, with a significant percentage of homes built before 1950. Neighborhoods like the Elmwood Village, Allentown, North Buffalo, Parkside, and South Buffalo contain architecturally significant homes that predate modern moisture barriers and ventilation standards. These older homes are susceptible to basement moisture, poor air circulation, and indoor mold growth. During the extended heating season (typically November through March), these homes accumulate indoor allergens — dust mites, pet dander, and mold — at levels that can match or exceed outdoor pollen exposure during spring. The contrast between Buffalo's outdoor and indoor allergy seasons is unusually sharp: outdoor allergens dominate from April through October, then indoor allergens take over from November through March, creating year-round exposure despite the winter pollen break.
HeyAllergy's telemedicine platform connects Buffalo and western New York residents to board-certified allergists and immunologists licensed in New York. A virtual consultation from home eliminates the challenges of navigating Buffalo's weather and traffic for specialist care — no waiting weeks for an appointment, no sitting in a waiting room. Allergy blood tests are ordered at a convenient local lab in Erie County, Niagara County, or wherever is most accessible. A personalized treatment plan is developed based on your specific triggers. HeyPak sublingual immunotherapy drops ship directly to your door and treat the root cause of allergies by building your immune system's tolerance to the specific allergens driving your symptoms — from birch and oak pollen to Timothy grass, ragweed, mold, dust mites, and pet dander. In a city ranked among the top 10 worst for allergies in America — where climate change is progressively extending and intensifying each allergy season — treating the underlying sensitivity is the most effective way to reclaim your quality of life year-round.
