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Real-time pollen data for Fort Lauderdale — updated daily.
Fort Lauderdale's tropical climate produces one of the most intense and prolonged tree pollen seasons in the United States. Oak is the single most impactful tree allergen in South Florida, with live oak and laurel oak producing massive pollen loads from February through April that coat vehicles, outdoor furniture, and every horizontal surface in a distinctive yellow-green film. Australian pine (Casuarina), an invasive species that thrives along Fort Lauderdale's coastline and canal banks, pollinates from October through March — an unusual winter-to-spring cycle that catches many newcomers off guard. Cypress trees (both bald cypress and pond cypress) pollinate from December through February, making Fort Lauderdale one of the few U.S. cities with significant tree pollen in midwinter. Brazilian pepper, another aggressive invasive, pollinates in fall and winter. Melaleuca (paper bark tree), though being actively removed from the Everglades, still produces allergenic pollen in western Broward County. Native species including gumbo-limbo, mahogany, royal poinciana, and various palm species contribute lower but persistent pollen throughout the warm months. Maple, elm, and ash add to the spring pollen mix.
Grass pollen is a year-round concern in Fort Lauderdale, with peak intensity from late spring through early fall. Bahia grass is the dominant lawn species in Broward County, widely planted in residential yards, parks, and roadside medians — it produces copious wind-dispersed pollen from April through October. Bermuda grass, used on golf courses, athletic fields, and many commercial properties, adds heavy pollen loads throughout the warm season. St. Augustine grass, while less allergenic because it spreads primarily by stolons rather than seed, still contributes some pollen. The subtropical climate means grass never goes fully dormant — even in January, warm spells can trigger brief pollination events, giving Fort Lauderdale residents no guaranteed grass-free month. Fort Lauderdale's extensive park system (Holiday Park, Snyder Park, George English Park) and its 7+ miles of beach promenade with adjacent grass areas create distributed grass pollen sources throughout the city.
Ragweed is the primary fall weed allergen in Fort Lauderdale, pollinating from August through November with peak concentrations in September and October. While ragweed density is lower in South Florida than in northern states, the persistent warm temperatures extend the pollination season significantly. Pigweed (amaranth) and lamb's quarters thrive in disturbed soils along construction sites and vacant lots throughout Broward County's rapidly developing landscape. Dog fennel, a tall weedy plant common throughout Florida, produces allergenic pollen from late summer through fall. Dock and sorrel contribute fall pollen. The mild winter means some weed species continue pollinating into December, and early-season weeds can emerge as early as February, compressing the already-brief relief window.
Mold is Fort Lauderdale's most persistent and pervasive allergen. The city's subtropical climate delivers average relative humidity of 70–90%, with morning readings frequently exceeding 90% year-round. This creates ideal conditions for Alternaria, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium mold species to thrive on virtually every outdoor surface — building exteriors, mulch, soil, decaying vegetation, and tree bark. Fort Lauderdale's defining geographic feature — its 300 miles of navigable inland waterways, canals, and the Intracoastal Waterway — creates an immense distributed moisture network throughout the city that supports continuous mold growth. The western neighborhoods border the Everglades, one of the largest subtropical wetland ecosystems on Earth, which generates enormous quantities of mold spores that drift eastward into the city on prevailing winds. Hurricane season (June–November) brings flooding and water damage that produce explosive mold growth in affected structures. Dust mites thrive in Fort Lauderdale's naturally humid indoor environments year-round. Cockroach allergens are significant in the tropical climate. Pet dander remains a constant indoor trigger.
While most of the country is frozen, Fort Lauderdale's allergy season is already in full swing. Cypress trees pollinate from December through February, and Australian pine continues its unusual winter pollination cycle. Oak trees begin releasing pollen in late January, with counts climbing rapidly through February. Mountain cedar pollen from Central Florida can drift south on cold front winds. Mold spore counts remain high year-round due to persistent humidity — there is no winter dormancy for mold in South Florida. Dust mites thrive indoors without any seasonal suppression. Dry season (November–April) reduces but doesn't eliminate mold. Severity: Moderate to High.
Fort Lauderdale's most intense allergy period. Oak pollen reaches its annual peak, with live oaks and laurel oaks producing clouds of yellow-green pollen that visibly coat everything outdoors. The Intracoastal Waterway, New River, and the canal network are lined with mature oaks that produce particularly heavy pollen loads. Australian pine continues pollinating into March. Bahia and Bermuda grass pollen begins its spring surge. The overlap of peak tree pollen with emerging grass pollen creates sustained high allergen exposure. Severity: Very High.
Tree pollen declines but grass pollen reaches peak intensity. Bahia grass produces maximum pollen loads as warm, humid conditions accelerate growth. The wet season begins in May, bringing daily afternoon thunderstorms that temporarily wash pollen from the air but increase humidity and mold growth dramatically. Standing water from heavy rains creates new mold habitats in yards, mulch beds, and low-lying areas. Indoor environments become critical as residents seal homes for air conditioning. Severity: High (grass pollen and mold).
Summer heat (90°F+ with heat indices exceeding 105°F) and near-constant humidity create Fort Lauderdale's peak mold season. Daily thunderstorms flood streets and yards, producing standing water that breeds mold within hours. Ragweed begins its season in August. Grass pollen remains elevated. Hurricane season activity increases — tropical storms and hurricanes can bring catastrophic flooding that triggers explosive indoor and outdoor mold growth across entire neighborhoods. Indoor allergen concentrations peak as residents spend maximum time in sealed, air-conditioned spaces. Severity: Very High (mold), High (grass and emerging weeds).
Ragweed pollen reaches its annual peak across Broward County. Grass pollen continues at moderate levels. Mold remains extremely high due to ongoing wet season humidity and tropical moisture. Peak hurricane season (August–October) brings the greatest risk of catastrophic flooding and post-storm mold events. Brazilian pepper and Australian pine begin their fall/winter pollination cycles. Severity: Very High (mold and ragweed combined).
The dry season begins in November, reducing rainfall and slightly lowering humidity — providing the closest thing to allergy relief Fort Lauderdale offers. However, Australian pine and cypress begin their winter pollination, and Brazilian pepper pollinates through December. Mold counts decrease somewhat but remain significant due to the canal network and Everglades proximity maintaining ambient moisture. Indoor allergens — dust mites, cockroach, pet dander — persist year-round in Fort Lauderdale's tropical climate. Oak pollen begins rising again by late December. Severity: Moderate (the best Fort Lauderdale offers).
Fort Lauderdale's 300 miles of navigable inland waterways — the feature that earned it the nickname 'Venice of America' — create a distributed moisture network throughout the city that sustains year-round mold growth. If you live in Las Olas Isles, Rio Vista, Coral Ridge, or any canal-adjacent neighborhood, your ambient mold exposure is significantly higher than inland properties. Run dehumidifiers to keep indoor humidity below 50%, maintain HEPA filtration in your HVAC system, and inspect exterior walls and HVAC ductwork regularly for mold colonization. Properties on the Intracoastal Waterway face dual exposure from canal moisture and tidal salt spray.
February through April, oak pollen blankets Fort Lauderdale in a visible yellow-green layer. This isn't a subtle seasonal shift — it's a measurable event that affects even people who've never had allergies before. During peak oak weeks, keep car windows closed, rinse outdoor surfaces before touching them, shower and change clothes after any time spent outdoors, and run your car's recirculating air setting while driving. Consider timing outdoor exercise for late afternoon when pollen has settled, or shift to indoor workouts during the worst weeks of March.
Fort Lauderdale's western neighborhoods — Plantation, Davie, Weston, and western Broward County — border one of the largest subtropical wetland ecosystems on Earth. The Everglades generate enormous quantities of mold spores, decaying vegetation emissions, and biological particulates that prevailing eastward winds carry directly into the metro area. If you live in western Broward, your mold and particulate exposure is likely higher than beachside residents. MERV 13+ HVAC filters and standalone HEPA purifiers in bedrooms can meaningfully reduce indoor exposure from Everglades-sourced allergens.
Fort Lauderdale sits in one of the most hurricane-prone corridors in the United States. When storms bring flooding — whether from storm surge, canal overflow, or heavy rainfall on the flat, low-lying terrain — the resulting water damage creates explosive mold growth within 24–48 hours in South Florida's tropical temperatures. Every Broward County resident should have a post-storm mold prevention plan: extract standing water immediately, remove saturated drywall and carpet within 48 hours, run industrial dehumidifiers, and wear N95 masks during cleanup. Post-hurricane mold events are among the most intense allergen exposures Fort Lauderdale residents face.
In most U.S. cities, dust mites peak seasonally. In Fort Lauderdale, the ambient humidity is permanently ideal for dust mite reproduction — no seasonal suppression occurs. Use allergen-proof mattress and pillow encasements, wash bedding weekly in hot water, and maintain indoor humidity below 50% with air conditioning and dehumidification. This isn't seasonal advice — it's a year-round protocol for Fort Lauderdale living.
Fort Lauderdale's tropical climate produces essentially continuous allergen exposure — oak pollen in winter/spring, grass pollen spring through fall, ragweed in fall, and mold plus dust mites every single day of the year. If you've been cycling through over-the-counter antihistamines, nasal sprays, and eye drops for months without lasting relief, your immune system may benefit from a targeted approach. Comprehensive allergy blood testing can identify your specific South Florida triggers, enabling personalized sublingual immunotherapy that addresses the root cause rather than just suppressing symptoms.
March through April is typically the most challenging period due to peak oak tree pollen combined with rising grass pollen. September through October brings peak ragweed plus extreme mold levels during hurricane season. However, Fort Lauderdale's tropical climate means there is no truly allergy-free month — mold and dust mites persist year-round, and some tree species pollinate even in winter.
Oak tree pollen (spring), Bahia and Bermuda grass (spring through fall), ragweed (fall), and mold spores (year-round) are the top outdoor allergens. Australian pine and cypress produce unusual winter pollen. Indoor allergens including dust mites, mold, cockroach, and pet dander are significant year-round concerns due to the permanently humid tropical climate.
Three factors combine to create intense year-round allergen exposure. First, the tropical climate supports plant growth and pollination in every month. Second, humidity averaging 70–90% creates ideal year-round conditions for mold and dust mites with no seasonal dormancy. Third, Fort Lauderdale's 300 miles of inland waterways and proximity to the Everglades create distributed moisture reservoirs that sustain continuous mold growth throughout the city.
Yes. Cypress and Australian pine pollinate in winter, oak peaks in spring, grass runs spring through fall, ragweed peaks in fall, and mold plus dust mites persist every day of the year. November through mid-January offers the closest thing to relief, but even during this dry season window, mold and indoor allergens remain active.
Yes. HeyAllergy provides telemedicine appointments with board-certified allergists licensed in Florida. Book a virtual consultation, have allergy blood tests ordered to a convenient Broward County lab, and start personalized treatment — all from home. No waitlist, fast appointments available.
HeyPak allergy drops use sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) to gradually desensitize your immune system to your specific South Florida triggers — whether oak, Bahia grass, ragweed, dust mites, or mold. You place customized drops under your tongue daily at home. Most patients see improvement within 3–6 months, with 3–5 years recommended for lasting relief.
HeyAllergy accepts Medicare and most major PPO health plans, including United Healthcare, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Cigna, Aetna, Humana, Oscar, and Tricare. Contact your insurance provider with Tax ID: 85-0834175 to confirm your specific telemedicine coverage.
Yes. Fort Lauderdale's 300 miles of navigable inland waterways — the feature that earned it the nickname 'Venice of America' — create a distributed moisture network throughout the city that sustains year-round mold growth. Homes in canal-adjacent neighborhoods like Las Olas Isles and Rio Vista experience measurably higher ambient humidity and mold spore concentrations than inland properties.
Fort Lauderdale occupies a unique position in America's allergy landscape. Known worldwide as the 'Venice of America' for its 300 miles of navigable inland waterways, canals, and the Intracoastal Waterway, this Broward County city of approximately 185,000 residents sits on South Florida's Atlantic coast between Miami and Palm Beach. The same water features that make Fort Lauderdale a yachting capital and tourist destination create something less desirable for allergy sufferers: a distributed moisture network that sustains year-round mold growth throughout the city's neighborhoods. Combined with a tropical climate that never produces a true winter freeze, proximity to the Everglades, and an urban tree canopy dominated by prolific pollen producers, Fort Lauderdale presents one of the most challenging year-round allergy environments in the United States.
The city was founded in 1911 and named after a series of forts built during the Seminole Wars. Its transformation from a small coastal settlement into a major metropolitan center accelerated after World War II, when returning servicemen who had trained at the Naval Air Station decided to stay. Today, Fort Lauderdale is the seat of Broward County and anchors a metropolitan area of nearly 2 million people. Port Everglades is one of the busiest cruise ship ports in the world, and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport serves as a major gateway to South Florida. The marine and yachting industries form the backbone of the local economy, complemented by tourism, healthcare, finance, and a growing technology sector.
No discussion of Fort Lauderdale's allergy environment can avoid its waterways. The city's canal system — carved from the Intracoastal Waterway, the New River, and dozens of man-made channels — creates an intricate web of standing and slow-moving water that winds through virtually every neighborhood. Las Olas Isles, Rio Vista, Coral Ridge, Lauderdale Harbours, and dozens of other residential areas are built directly on these canals, with homes featuring backyard docks and boat access. For the marine industry, this is paradise. For allergy sufferers, it's a challenge.
Every linear foot of canal bank provides moisture, organic material, and shade — the three ingredients mold needs to flourish. Alternaria, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium mold species colonize canal-bank vegetation, seawalls, dock structures, and boat hulls, releasing spores that become airborne on sea breezes and thermal convection currents. The canal water itself, warmed by the tropical sun, produces humidity that elevates the ambient moisture in adjacent properties. Homes built on canals — some of Fort Lauderdale's most desirable and expensive real estate — face higher mold exposure than inland properties. This isn't a seasonal issue. In Fort Lauderdale's tropical climate, canal-related mold growth occurs every day of the year.
Fort Lauderdale's western boundary lies just miles from the eastern edge of the Everglades — a 1.5-million-acre subtropical wetland ecosystem often called the 'River of Grass.' The Everglades generate enormous quantities of biological particulates: mold spores from decaying sawgrass and wetland vegetation, pollen from marsh and hammock plant communities, and organic compounds from the vast microbial ecosystem. Prevailing easterly winds carry these particles directly into the western Broward County suburbs — Plantation, Davie, Weston, Sunrise, and Coral Springs — and onward into Fort Lauderdale proper.
The Everglades influence is particularly pronounced during the wet season (May–October), when daily thunderstorms saturate the wetland and accelerate decomposition and mold reproduction. Controlled burns in the Everglades, conducted by the National Park Service and South Florida Water Management District to maintain ecosystem health, can produce smoke that irritates respiratory systems already sensitized by allergens. During drought years, dried Everglades peat can catch fire and produce haze that blankets all of Broward County for days or weeks. The western suburbs of Greater Fort Lauderdale experience the most direct Everglades allergen exposure, but prevailing winds ensure that even the beachside communities are affected.
Fort Lauderdale's tree pollen season is dominated by oaks — live oaks and laurel oaks that form the backbone of the city's urban canopy. From February through April, these trees produce prodigious quantities of fine, wind-dispersed pollen that creates a visible yellow-green coating on every outdoor surface. During peak oak weeks in March, pollen accumulation on cars, patios, pool decks, and outdoor furniture is so heavy that it requires daily cleaning. The Intracoastal Waterway, New River, and canal banks are lined with mature oaks whose canopies extend over water, concentrating pollen in the corridors where many residents live and recreate.
Australian pine (Casuarina) adds a unique complication. This invasive species — actually not a true pine but a she-oak native to Australia — was widely planted along Fort Lauderdale's coastline and waterways for erosion control and windbreaks. Despite ongoing removal efforts, Australian pines remain common throughout Broward County and produce allergenic pollen from October through March. This means Fort Lauderdale has significant tree pollen in every season: Australian pine and cypress in fall/winter, oaks in spring, and tropical species throughout summer. There is no tree-pollen-free month.
Fort Lauderdale's climate is classified as tropical rainforest (Af) or tropical monsoon (Am), depending on the classification system — either way, it's among the warmest and most humid major cities in the continental United States. Average relative humidity ranges from 70–90% year-round, with morning readings frequently exceeding 90% even during the 'dry season' (November–April). This persistent moisture creates conditions fundamentally different from cities where mold and dust mites have seasonal dormancy periods.
In Fort Lauderdale, mold grows outdoors year-round on building exteriors, landscaping mulch, fence posts, roof tiles, and virtually any organic surface. Indoors, the humidity penetrates through building envelopes, condensation forms on cold AC surfaces, and bathroom and kitchen moisture never fully dissipates in the tropical air. Dust mites — which require relative humidity above 50% to reproduce — face no seasonal limitation in Fort Lauderdale. Their populations remain at peak levels in bedding, upholstered furniture, and carpeting every month of the year. For allergy sufferers, this means there is no natural relief period — the immunological burden is constant and cumulative.
Fort Lauderdale sits in one of the most hurricane-prone corridors in the United States. The city's flat, low-lying terrain (average elevation just 9 feet above sea level), extensive canal system, and coastal exposure make it particularly vulnerable to storm surge, rainfall flooding, and canal overflow during tropical storms and hurricanes. When flooding occurs — which has happened repeatedly in recent years even from non-hurricane rain events — the resulting water damage creates an acute allergen crisis.
Saturated drywall, carpet, insulation, and furniture begin growing mold within 24–48 hours in Fort Lauderdale's tropical temperatures. Floodwaters carry sewage, chemicals, and organic material that further accelerate mold colonization. Post-storm mold remediation can take weeks or months, during which residents face intense indoor mold exposure that triggers severe reactions even in people who've never been mold-sensitive before. The combination of hurricane-damaged structures, tropical humidity, and disrupted air conditioning systems (from power outages) creates some of the most extreme mold exposure events in the United States. Having a post-storm mold prevention and remediation plan is as essential as having a hurricane evacuation plan.
Fort Lauderdale's appeal is built on its outdoor lifestyle — 7+ miles of beaches, the beachfront promenade, Las Olas Boulevard's outdoor dining, waterfront parks, boating, and year-round tropical warmth. This creates a paradox for allergy sufferers: the same climate that makes outdoor living so attractive also produces year-round allergen exposure with no seasonal escape. Dining al fresco on Las Olas means breathing canal-adjacent mold spores. Walking the beach promenade during oak season means wading through visible pollen. Boating the Intracoastal means direct exposure to waterway mold. And the Everglades airboat tour means breathing the most biologically dense air in South Florida.
For residents who love Fort Lauderdale's lifestyle but struggle with its allergens, the solution isn't to retreat indoors permanently — it's to understand the specific triggers causing their symptoms and address them at the root. Comprehensive allergy blood testing can identify whether oak, Australian pine, Bahia grass, ragweed, Alternaria mold, Cladosporium, dust mites, cockroach, or other specific South Florida allergens are the primary drivers of their reactions.
Fort Lauderdale's year-round allergen exposure overwhelms seasonal treatment strategies. Taking antihistamines from February through April for oak pollen, switching to a different medication in summer for grass, then another in fall for ragweed — all while fighting mold and dust mites every single day — is a losing battle that many Fort Lauderdale residents wage for years without lasting relief.
HeyAllergy offers Fort Lauderdale and Broward County residents convenient telemedicine access to board-certified allergists and immunologists who understand South Florida's unique tropical allergen profile. Through a secure video consultation, your allergist can evaluate your symptoms, order comprehensive blood allergy testing at a convenient local Broward County lab, and develop a personalized treatment plan. For patients who qualify, HeyPak sublingual immunotherapy drops can be customized to your specific test results and the allergens endemic to South Florida, delivered directly to your home, and taken daily under the tongue. Most patients notice improvement within 3–6 months, with 3–5 years of treatment recommended for lasting relief. Starting at $47/month, HeyPak offers a path to freedom from Fort Lauderdale's relentless tropical allergen cycle — no needles, no clinic visits, no waitlist.
