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Real-time pollen data for Laredo — updated daily.
Laredo's tree pollen season begins earlier and lasts longer than most Texas cities due to its position in the semi-arid subtropics, where mild winters prevent a true dormant period. Mountain cedar (Ashe juniper) is the most notorious winter tree allergen in Texas, and while Laredo is at the southern edge of the Texas Hill Country cedar belt, mountain cedar pollen drifts south on winter winds and causes significant symptoms from December through February. Laredo residents sensitive to cedar experience the same 'cedar fever' that affects Central Texas, though usually at somewhat lower concentrations. Mesquite (honey mesquite, Prosopis glandulosa) is the defining native tree of the South Texas brush country and one of Laredo's most significant spring allergens. Mesquite trees are ubiquitous across the semi-arid landscape surrounding the city and produce allergenic pollen from March through May. Huisache (sweet acacia, Vachellia farnesiana) is another iconic South Texas brush country tree that produces bright yellow flowers and allergenic pollen in early spring (February–March). Huisache is abundant along roadsides, fence lines, and the Rio Grande floodplain. Oak trees (live oak, post oak) produce heavy pollen loads from February through April, with live oak catkins coating cars and outdoor surfaces with visible yellow-green pollen. Pecan trees are significant spring allergens, particularly along the Rio Grande corridor where pecan orchards and shade trees are common. Elm trees pollinate in late winter (January–February). Ash, cottonwood (along the Rio Grande), and acacia species contribute additional tree pollen. Retama (Jerusalem thorn) and cenizo (Texas sage) are native South Texas species that bloom following rain events rather than on fixed seasonal schedules, adding unpredictable allergen spikes.
Laredo's warm climate supports one of the longest grass pollen seasons of any Texas city. Bermuda grass is the dominant lawn and landscape grass throughout the city and produces substantial pollen from March through November — a nearly nine-month season that is significantly longer than cities in northern Texas or other states. Buffalograss, a native grass, is common in undeveloped areas and along the Rio Grande corridor. Johnson grass grows aggressively along roadsides, irrigation channels, and disturbed soil and produces heavy pollen loads from spring through fall. Ryegrass is used for winter overseeding, extending grass pollen exposure into cooler months. The mild winter temperatures in Laredo (average January high around 66°F) mean that grass never fully goes dormant — irrigated Bermuda grass can produce some pollen even in December and January, effectively creating a year-round grass pollen exposure for the most sensitive individuals. The city's parks, residential landscapes, school grounds, and the extensive Rio Grande floodplain vegetation contribute continuous grass pollen sources. Agricultural activity in Webb County adds additional grass and crop pollen during the growing season.
Fall weed pollen season is among the most challenging in South Texas. Ragweed is the primary fall weed allergen, producing massive quantities of highly allergenic pollen from late August through November. In Laredo's mild climate, ragweed can continue pollinating well into December — the absence of hard freezes allows ragweed plants to survive and produce pollen long after they would be killed by frost in northern cities. Pigweed (amaranth) is extremely common in disturbed soils, vacant lots, and agricultural margins throughout Webb County and produces substantial fall pollen. Lamb's quarters, kochia, and Russian thistle contribute additional weed pollen. Marshelder (Iva) grows in the Rio Grande floodplain. Croton and other native brush country weeds add to the diverse weed pollen mix. The extensive undeveloped land surrounding Laredo — much of it South Texas brush country (tamaulipan thornscrub) — provides an enormous source area for weed pollen that wind carries into the city. Construction activity and land clearing for development create new disturbed soil that pioneer weed species colonize rapidly, maintaining weed pollen sources across the urban landscape.
Laredo faces a respiratory challenge shared by few other American cities: cross-border air quality. The sister city of Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas (population approximately 400,000) sits directly across the Rio Grande, and the combined Laredo–Nuevo Laredo metropolitan area functions as a single airshed. Research by RGISC (Rio Grande International Study Center) and the University of Massachusetts Amherst has found that PM2.5 pollution spreads beyond known hotspots and persists across both cities. Laredo is the largest inland port on the US-Mexico border and handles more international trade by land value than any other US port of entry. The four international bridges generate enormous diesel truck traffic — trucks idling in line at border crossings produce concentrated vehicle emissions including PM2.5, PM10, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and black carbon. Research has documented that international trade traffic, unpaved roads, and industrial emissions are major sources of particulate matter in South Texas border communities. The semi-arid climate and frequent wind generate dust from exposed soil, unpaved roads (a documented major source of particulates in border regions), and the Rio Grande floodplain. Mold is present along the Rio Grande corridor where irrigation and river proximity create localized humidity. Dust mites are present year-round in homes. Cockroach allergen is a significant indoor trigger in South Texas's warm climate. Pet dander is a year-round concern.
Severity: Moderate
Winter in Laredo is milder than most of Texas — average January highs around 66°F mean there is no hard freeze to create a clean break in the allergen calendar. Mountain cedar (Ashe juniper) pollen drifts south from the Texas Hill Country on winter winds, causing cedar fever symptoms from December through February. Elm trees begin pollinating in January. Huisache produces early spring blooms in February. Irrigated Bermuda grass can produce some pollen even during winter months in Laredo's mild temperatures. Indoor allergens — dust mites, pet dander, cockroach allergen — are year-round concerns. Cross-border truck traffic and associated diesel emissions continue through winter at the international bridges. The relatively dry winter air (humidity typically 40-55%) generates dust from exposed soil and unpaved surfaces across the semi-arid landscape.
Severity: High to Severe
Spring is Laredo's most intense tree pollen season. Mesquite, the signature tree of South Texas brush country, surges in March and peaks through April. Oak pollen explodes from February through April, with live oak catkins coating everything in visible yellow-green pollen. Pecan trees pollinate heavily along the Rio Grande corridor. Ash and cottonwood contribute additional spring pollen. Grass pollen from Bermuda grass begins its long season in March, overlapping with peak tree pollen. This overlap of peak tree pollen, surging grass pollen, and spring winds carrying dust from the brush country makes March through May the single most challenging period for respiratory symptoms. Spring winds generate dust from the semi-arid landscape and amplify pollen dispersal. Retama and other rain-responsive native species may bloom if spring rains occur, adding unpredictable allergen spikes.
Severity: Moderate to High
Summer brings extreme heat to Laredo — triple-digit temperatures are common from June through August, with average highs exceeding 100°F. Despite the heat, Bermuda grass and Johnson grass continue producing pollen throughout summer, sustained by irrigation and the city's subtropical location. Ragweed begins pollinating in late August, signaling the transition to fall weed season. The extreme heat creates ground-level ozone from vehicle emissions and cross-border traffic, adding a non-allergen respiratory irritant. Dust generation continues from the dry semi-arid landscape. Mold can spike in areas with irrigation or following occasional summer thunderstorms. Indoor allergen exposure increases as residents spend more time in air-conditioned environments. International bridge truck traffic remains heavy through summer, contributing continuous diesel emissions and road dust to the shared airshed.
Severity: Moderate to High
Fall brings Laredo's worst weed pollen season. Ragweed peaks from September through October and, in the absence of hard frost, can continue pollinating into November or even December. Pigweed, kochia, lamb's quarters, and other fall weeds produce overlapping pollen. Bermuda grass continues producing pollen through November in Laredo's mild autumn temperatures, creating a period where grass and weed pollen compound each other. The vast brush country surrounding Laredo provides an enormous source area for fall weed pollen. Cenizo (Texas sage) may produce a fall bloom following autumn rains. By late November, the onset of mountain cedar season begins the transition to winter, creating a seamless handoff from fall weeds to winter cedar — there is no clean pollen-free period in Laredo's calendar.
Laredo is unique among Texas cities because it shares an airshed with Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas — a city of approximately 400,000 people directly across the Rio Grande. Air pollution does not stop at national borders. Research by the Rio Grande International Study Center (RGISC) and the University of Massachusetts Amherst has documented that PM2.5 pollution spreads across both cities and persists beyond known hotspots near the international bridges. Laredo is the largest inland port on the US-Mexico border by trade value, and the four international bridges carry enormous diesel truck traffic. Trucks waiting in line to cross the border idle their engines for extended periods, creating concentrated zones of diesel emissions including fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides. For residents living near the international bridges or along major truck routes (I-35, US-83, Mines Road), particulate exposure can be significantly higher than in neighborhoods further from border crossing infrastructure. Run HEPA air purifiers in bedrooms if you live within two miles of an international bridge. Monitor air quality at airnow.gov. Consider the Clean Air Laredo Coalition's community resources for local air quality data.
The landscape surrounding Laredo is South Texas brush country (tamaulipan thornscrub) — a semi-arid ecosystem of mesquite, huisache, cenizo, retama, granjeno, and other native thorny shrubs and trees that is found nowhere else in the United States except the region between San Antonio, the Rio Grande, and the Gulf Coast. This ecosystem produces a distinctive allergen profile that differs significantly from the Hill Country cedar belt to the north, the Gulf Coast humidity zone to the east, and the true desert of West Texas. Mesquite is the signature tree and one of Laredo's most important spring allergens. Huisache produces highly allergenic pollen in early spring. Cenizo (Texas sage, Leucophyllum frutescens) and retama bloom in response to rain rather than on fixed seasonal schedules, creating unpredictable allergen spikes that can catch residents off guard after summer or fall thunderstorms. If you notice sudden allergy symptoms 2–3 days after a rain event, rain-responsive native species may be the cause.
Unlike cities in northern Texas or most other states, Laredo rarely experiences hard freezes that kill vegetation and create a clean pollen-free period. Average January lows hover around 44°F, and freezing temperatures occur only a handful of nights per year (if at all). This means biological pollen is present in some form virtually year-round: mountain cedar drift in winter, mesquite and oak in spring, Bermuda grass from March through November, ragweed from August through December, and cedar again by December. For people sensitized to multiple allergen types, this continuous cycle can produce symptoms that feel like a permanent condition rather than a seasonal problem — often misdiagnosed as chronic sinusitis or recurrent infections rather than recognized as persistent allergic rhinitis driven by year-round allergen exposure. If over-the-counter antihistamines provide temporary relief but symptoms always return, immunotherapy (allergy drops) that builds tolerance to your specific triggers is the most effective path to lasting relief.
Laredo receives approximately 20 inches of annual rainfall — enough to support the brush country vegetation but not enough to keep exposed soil moist. The semi-arid climate, combined with frequent wind, generates dust from unpaved roads, construction sites, agricultural land, and the Rio Grande floodplain. Research on South Texas border communities has identified unpaved roads and wind-blown soil erosion as major sources of airborne particulate matter. Dust in the Laredo area contains soil minerals, dried organic material from brush country vegetation, and particles from the Rio Grande corridor. For residents in areas with unpaved roads or near active construction, dust exposure can be a significant daily respiratory challenge. Seal gaps around windows and doors, especially on windy days. Use MERV 11 or higher HVAC filters. Avoid outdoor exercise during windy conditions when visible dust is in the air.
Laredo has limited local allergy specialist availability relative to its population of 262,000. HeyAllergy's telemedicine platform connects Laredo residents to board-certified allergists and immunologists licensed in Texas — providing expert allergy care without long wait times or driving to San Antonio (150 miles north) for specialist appointments. Book a virtual consultation from home, 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 driving your symptoms — whether mesquite, mountain cedar, oak, Bermuda grass, ragweed, dust mites, or pet dander. Starting at $47 per month, with most patients noticing improvement within 3 to 6 months.
March through May is typically the worst period, when peak mesquite, oak, and pecan pollen overlaps with surging Bermuda grass pollen and spring winds. September through November brings a secondary peak from ragweed and fall weeds. Mountain cedar drifts south in December through February. Laredo has no truly pollen-free month due to its mild subtropical climate.
The most common allergens are mesquite, mountain cedar (Ashe juniper), live oak, pecan, huisache, Bermuda grass, ragweed, pigweed, dust mites, cockroach allergen, and pet dander. The South Texas brush country surrounding Laredo produces distinctive allergens like mesquite and huisache not found in most other US regions. A blood allergy test identifies your specific triggers.
Yes. Laredo shares an airshed with Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. Research has documented that PM2.5 pollution spreads across both cities. The four international bridges generate concentrated diesel truck emissions that add particulate matter to the air. These non-allergen particles inflame airways, lowering the threshold at which biological allergens trigger symptoms and making allergy sufferers more reactive.
Yes. HeyAllergy provides telemedicine appointments with board-certified allergists and immunologists licensed in Texas. Book a virtual consultation from anywhere in the state, have allergy blood tests ordered at a local lab, and start a personalized treatment plan. No referral needed and no waitlist — especially valuable for Laredo residents who would otherwise need to travel to San Antonio for specialist care.
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 mesquite, cedar, oak, Bermuda grass, ragweed, dust mites, or pet dander. 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, 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. Laredo's mild subtropical climate produces pollen virtually year-round with no hard-freeze break. Mountain cedar in winter, mesquite and oak in spring, Bermuda grass from March through November, ragweed from August through December, and cedar again by December create a continuous cycle. Cross-border particulate pollution adds year-round respiratory irritation independent of biological pollen.
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. This eliminates the need to drive to San Antonio or wait weeks for a local specialist appointment.
Laredo, Texas — population approximately 262,000, the largest city on the US-Mexico border by trade volume and the largest inland port in the United States — sits on the north bank of the Rio Grande directly across from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Together, these sister cities form a binational metropolitan area of approximately 660,000 people sharing a single airshed. This geographic and economic reality creates respiratory health challenges found in few other American cities: the combination of South Texas brush country allergens, cross-border air pollution from international trade traffic, semi-arid dust generation, and a subtropical climate that produces year-round pollen with no winter freeze break. Laredo handles more international trade by land value than any other US port of entry. The four international bridges — Gateway to the Americas, World Trade, Colombia Solidarity, and Laredo–Colombia — carry thousands of commercial trucks daily, creating concentrated corridors of diesel emissions that research has identified as a significant source of particulate matter in the border region.
The landscape surrounding Laredo is the tamaulipan thornscrub — a unique semi-arid ecosystem of thorny shrubs and small trees found only in the region between San Antonio, the Rio Grande, and the Gulf Coast. This brush country produces an allergen profile distinctly different from any other part of Texas. Mesquite (honey mesquite, Prosopis glandulosa) dominates the landscape, growing in dense thickets across millions of acres of Webb County and producing significant allergenic pollen from March through May. Huisache (sweet acacia, Vachellia farnesiana) is one of the first trees to bloom in late winter, producing bright yellow flower clusters and allergenic pollen that signals the start of the spring allergy season. Cenizo (Texas sage, Leucophyllum frutescens) — prized as a landscape plant and beloved as a rain indicator — blooms prolifically 2–3 days after summer and fall rains, producing sudden allergen spikes that are essentially impossible to predict on a calendar. Retama (Jerusalem thorn, Parkinsonia aculeata), granjeno (spiny hackberry), and brasil (Condalia hookeri) are additional native brush country species that contribute to the area's distinctive pollen mix. For residents who relocated from other parts of the country, these native South Texas species represent entirely novel allergens their immune systems have never encountered, potentially triggering new-onset allergies.
Air pollution does not stop at the Rio Grande. Laredo and Nuevo Laredo function as a single airshed, and research by the Rio Grande International Study Center (RGISC) in partnership with the University of Massachusetts Amherst has documented that PM2.5 pollution spreads beyond known hotspots near the international bridges and persists across both cities. The sources of cross-border air quality challenges are well-documented by peer-reviewed research: international trade truck traffic produces concentrated diesel emissions at and near the bridges where thousands of commercial vehicles idle daily; unpaved roads on both sides of the border generate significant particulate matter (documented as contributing 65% of total particulates in some border communities); industrial emissions from facilities on both sides contribute point-source pollution; and agricultural burning adds periodic smoke events. A ProPublica and Texas Tribune investigation revealed that ethylene oxide emissions from the Midwest Sterilization Corporation plant in Laredo had elevated the estimated lifetime cancer risk for nearly 130,000 residents, leading to the creation of the Clean Air Laredo Coalition and the city's first comprehensive air monitoring program. For allergy sufferers, these non-allergen particulates are particularly damaging because PM2.5 inflames airways already sensitized by biological pollen, effectively lowering the threshold at which pollen triggers symptoms.
Laredo's climate is classified as semi-arid subtropical (BSh), receiving approximately 20 inches of annual rainfall — enough to support the brush country vegetation but insufficient to keep exposed soil consistently moist. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, and winters are mild with average January highs around 66°F. Hard freezes are rare, occurring only a handful of nights per year in most winters and not at all in some years. This means there is no natural mechanism to create a clean break in the pollen calendar. Biological allergens are present in some form every month of the year: mountain cedar drift from the Hill Country in December through February, mesquite and oak from February through May, Bermuda grass from March through November, ragweed from August through December, and cedar again by December. For people sensitized to multiple allergen types, this continuous cycle produces symptoms that may feel like a permanent condition rather than seasonal allergies. The semi-arid environment generates significant dust from exposed soil, unpaved surfaces, and the Rio Grande floodplain, adding particulate irritation to biological allergen exposure year-round.
Laredo's population of 262,000 is served by limited local allergy specialist availability. The nearest major medical centers with comprehensive allergy and immunology departments are in San Antonio, approximately 150 miles north on I-35. This distance barrier means many Laredo residents either go without specialist allergy care, rely solely on primary care physicians for allergy management, or make long trips to San Antonio for specialist appointments. Telemedicine eliminates this access gap entirely. HeyAllergy connects Laredo residents to board-certified allergists and immunologists licensed in Texas through virtual consultations from home. Allergy blood tests are ordered at a convenient local lab, and a personalized treatment plan is developed based on specific triggers identified in the results. HeyPak sublingual immunotherapy drops ship directly to your door and treat the root cause of allergies by building immune tolerance to the specific allergens driving symptoms. In a city where biological pollen, cross-border particulate pollution, and semi-arid dust combine year-round, treating the underlying allergic sensitivity is the most effective path to lasting relief. HeyAllergy accepts Medicare and most major PPO health plans. Starting at $47 per month for HeyPak drops, with most patients noticing improvement within 3 to 6 months.
