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Real-time pollen data for McKinney — updated daily.
McKinney's tree pollen season begins unusually early thanks to mountain cedar (Ashe juniper). While the densest cedar concentrations grow in the Texas Hill Country over 200 miles south, the lightweight pollen travels vast distances on prevailing south winds, reaching Collin County from late December through February. This phenomenon — known locally as "cedar fever" — produces flu-like allergy symptoms during months when most residents don't expect pollen exposure. As cedar winds down, oak becomes the dominant tree allergen from March through May. McKinney's post oak, live oak, blackjack oak, bur oak, and cedar elm trees produce enormous quantities of visible yellow pollen that coats vehicles, driveways, and outdoor furniture throughout spring. Elm trees (American, winged, and cedar elm) pollinate from February into April, overlapping with early oak season. Pecan trees — abundant throughout Collin County's residential neighborhoods and remaining agricultural parcels — release highly allergenic pollen from April through May. Ash, mulberry, cottonwood, and hackberry trees add to the spring pollen burden. The city's rapid residential development since 2000 has introduced extensive ornamental tree plantings in master-planned communities, diversifying the pollen landscape beyond the native Blackland Prairie species.
Bermuda grass is McKinney's primary grass allergen, dominating residential lawns, parks, sports fields, and commercial landscapes across the city. Bermuda pollen peaks from May through July but can persist from April into September in Collin County's warm climate. Johnson grass — an aggressive weed-grass common along roadsides, highways, and disturbed construction sites — produces substantial pollen loads from May through August. Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, and Timothy grass contribute additional grass pollen, particularly from the manicured lawns and athletic fields in McKinney's extensive park system and master-planned developments. The Blackland Prairie ecology underlying McKinney historically supported native grasses like little bluestem and Indiangrass, and remnant prairie patches still contribute to the local pollen mix.
Ragweed is McKinney's most impactful fall allergen. Western ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya) is native to the Blackland Prairie ecosystem and thrives in Collin County's disturbed soils — which are abundant given the city's explosive construction activity. Giant ragweed also grows along creek corridors and fence lines. Ragweed pollen peaks from late August through October and can travel hundreds of miles on wind currents. Pigweed (amaranth), lamb's quarters, Russian thistle, and sagebrush contribute additional fall weed pollen. The extensive land clearing for new residential and commercial developments continuously disturbs soil and creates ideal habitat for ragweed and other weedy pioneer species.
Dust mites thrive in McKinney's humid subtropical climate, with summer humidity regularly exceeding 70%. The Blackland Prairie's famous vertisol clay soils expand and contract dramatically with moisture changes, which can create foundation shifting and microcracks in homes that allow moisture intrusion — promoting mold growth in walls and crawl spaces. Mold spores are elevated near Lake Lavon and along the numerous creek corridors that thread through McKinney's neighborhoods. Alternaria and Cladosporium are common outdoor molds, while Aspergillus and Penicillium thrive in newer construction that may have been exposed to moisture during the building process. Pet dander is a significant allergen in this family-oriented suburban community with high pet ownership rates.
Severity: Moderate to High. Mountain cedar (Ashe juniper) pollen arrives from the Hill Country on south winds, peaking in mid-January. Cedar fever causes flu-like symptoms including fatigue, headache, nasal congestion, and sneezing — many McKinney residents mistake it for a cold or flu. Elm trees begin pollinating in February, overlapping with the tail end of cedar season. Indoor allergens intensify as homes are sealed against cold fronts. Mold can spike after winter rain events, particularly in homes built on the reactive Blackland Prairie clay soils.
Severity: Severe. This is McKinney's worst allergy period. Oak pollen dominates from March through May, producing visible yellow clouds that coat outdoor surfaces. Pecan, ash, mulberry, cottonwood, and hackberry add to the burden. By late April, Bermuda grass pollen overlaps with tree pollen, creating a dual-allergen onslaught. Warm temperatures and frequent south winds keep pollen counts elevated for weeks at a time. Thunderstorms can temporarily drop counts but "thunderstorm asthma" events occur when storms fragment pollen grains into smaller particles that penetrate deeper into airways.
Severity: Moderate to High. Bermuda and Johnson grass pollen peak in June and July. Summer humidity drives mold growth outdoors along creek corridors and around Lake Lavon, and indoors in homes with inadequate ventilation. Dust mites reproduce aggressively in the warm, humid conditions. Ozone levels can spike during heat waves, compounding respiratory irritation for allergy and asthma sufferers. Brief evening relief from pollen occurs as temperatures cool, but mold counts can remain elevated overnight.
Severity: High. Ragweed pollen dominates from late August through October, with McKinney's disturbed construction sites and Blackland Prairie remnants producing substantial ragweed growth. Pigweed, lamb's quarters, and sagebrush add to fall weed counts. The first hard frost — typically arriving in mid-to-late November — finally suppresses ragweed. By late November, mountain cedar trees begin preparing for their winter pollination cycle, and early cedar pollen can arrive before December ends. This means McKinney has virtually no pollen-free period.
Unlike most U.S. cities where winter provides allergy relief, McKinney's allergy season restarts in December when Hill Country cedar pollen reaches Collin County. Monitor cedar pollen forecasts from late November onward. If you experience flu-like symptoms without a fever during December through February, cedar allergy is the likely cause — not a cold. Pre-medicating with antihistamines before cedar counts spike can significantly reduce symptom severity.
McKinney was ranked the 4th fastest-growing large city in the United States between 2010 and 2019, and construction continues at a rapid pace. New developments disturb Blackland Prairie soil, releasing both construction dust and ragweed seeds into surrounding neighborhoods. If you live near active construction sites, keep windows closed regardless of season, use HEPA air purifiers, and clean HVAC filters monthly. The disturbed soil from new developments will produce elevated ragweed for several growing seasons after construction ends.
McKinney's vertisol clay soils expand when wet and contract when dry, creating foundation movement that can open microcracks allowing moisture into walls and crawl spaces. This promotes hidden mold growth that many homeowners don't realize is affecting their allergies. Have your foundation inspected if you notice new cracks, sticking doors, or unexplained musty smells. Using a dehumidifier to maintain indoor humidity between 30–50% helps control both mold and dust mites.
McKinney's crown jewels — the 212-acre Erwin Park and the 289-acre Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary — are popular destinations for hiking and biking. However, both parks' dense woodlands concentrate pollen, and the Heard Sanctuary's wetland areas produce elevated mold spore counts. Visit after afternoon rain showers when pollen is washed from the air, or go during early evening when tree pollen counts naturally drop. Avoid morning hours during peak spring tree pollen season when counts are highest.
Lake Lavon's 21,400-acre reservoir east of McKinney adds moisture to the local atmosphere, particularly during summer months when prevailing east winds carry humid air into the city. This elevated humidity promotes both outdoor mold growth and indoor dust mite proliferation. After spending time at Lake Lavon parks, shower and change clothes to remove pollen and mold spores. In your home, use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens, and ensure your attic has adequate ventilation to prevent moisture buildup.
McKinney's overlapping allergen cycles — cedar in winter, trees in spring, grass in summer, ragweed in fall — mean many residents experience symptoms year-round without realizing allergies are the cause. If you have persistent nasal congestion, post-nasal drip, or frequent sinus infections throughout the year, allergy testing can identify your specific triggers. HeyAllergy's board-certified allergists provide telehealth consultations and at-home allergy blood tests for Texas residents, with personalized treatment plans including HeyPak sublingual immunotherapy drops that treat the root cause of your allergies.
March through May is typically the worst period, when oak, pecan, elm, and ash trees release massive quantities of pollen simultaneously and Bermuda grass begins overlapping. However, McKinney has virtually no pollen-free month — cedar fever peaks December through February, grass pollen dominates June through August, and ragweed surges August through November.
Cedar fever is an allergic reaction to mountain cedar (Ashe juniper) pollen that originates in the Texas Hill Country. Despite being over 200 miles from the densest cedar forests, McKinney receives significant cedar pollen from December through February as wind carries the lightweight grains northward. Symptoms mimic the flu — fatigue, headache, congestion, and sneezing — but without an actual fever.
The dominant allergens include mountain cedar (winter), oak, elm, and pecan (spring), Bermuda and Johnson grass (summer), ragweed (fall), plus year-round dust mites and mold. McKinney's location on the Blackland Prairie with its rich clay soils supports aggressive plant growth, and rapid residential development continuously disturbs soil that promotes ragweed colonization.
Yes. HeyAllergy provides telemedicine appointments with board-certified allergists licensed in Texas. Book a virtual consultation, have allergy blood tests ordered, and receive a personalized treatment plan — including HeyPak sublingual immunotherapy drops — all without visiting a clinic. No referral or waitlist required.
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 telemedicine coverage for allergy care.
HeyPak sublingual immunotherapy drops are customized to your specific allergen triggers based on blood test results. The drops contain tiny amounts of the allergens causing your symptoms — such as oak pollen, Bermuda grass, or ragweed — and are placed under your tongue daily. Over time, your immune system builds tolerance, reducing allergic reactions. Most patients notice improvement within 3–6 months, with 3–5 years of treatment recommended for lasting relief.
Effectively, yes. Cedar pollen arrives in December, tree pollen peaks March–May, grass pollen dominates May–September, ragweed runs August–November, and cedar restarts in December. Indoor allergens like dust mites and mold are present year-round in McKinney's humid subtropical climate. There is no reliable pollen-free window in this area of North Texas.
HeyAllergy offers fast scheduling with no waitlist. You can typically book a telemedicine appointment with a board-certified allergist within days. The entire process — from virtual consultation to allergy blood test to receiving your customized HeyPak allergy drops at your door — is designed for convenience so McKinney residents can start treatment without multiple clinic visits.
McKinney, Texas sits at the intersection of several factors that create one of North Texas's most challenging allergy environments. As the county seat of Collin County and one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States — the Census Bureau ranked it 4th nationally among large cities from 2010 to 2019, with population more than tripling from 54,000 in 2000 to over 200,000 today — McKinney combines rapid suburban development with a Blackland Prairie ecology that supports aggressive allergen-producing plant growth throughout the year.
McKinney sits squarely within the Texas Blackland Prairie ecoregion, characterized by deep, fertile clay soils that were once among the most productive agricultural lands in Texas. These vertisol clay soils — locally called "black gumbo" — expand dramatically when wet and shrink when dry, creating foundation challenges for homes and buildings but also supporting lush vegetation growth that produces substantial pollen loads. The native Blackland Prairie was dominated by tallgrass species like little bluestem, big bluestem, and Indiangrass, along with trees like post oak, cedar elm, and pecan in bottomland areas. While less than 1% of the original prairie remains, the aggressive grass and weed species that replaced it — particularly Bermuda grass and ragweed — are among the most potent allergens in North Texas.
McKinney's transformation from a quiet agricultural county seat to a booming Dallas-Fort Worth suburb has had significant implications for allergy sufferers. The continuous construction of master-planned communities, commercial centers, and infrastructure projects disturbs the Blackland Prairie clay soil on a massive scale. This disturbance releases construction dust containing fine particulates that irritate airways and creates bare soil conditions ideal for ragweed and other weedy species to colonize. New developments also introduce diverse ornamental tree and shrub plantings that diversify the local pollen landscape beyond native species. Each new neighborhood adds Bermuda grass lawns, ornamental flowering trees, and landscaping that becomes an ongoing pollen source for years after construction is complete.
Perhaps McKinney's most distinctive allergy challenge is cedar fever — allergic reactions to mountain cedar (Ashe juniper) pollen that originates in the Texas Hill Country, more than 200 miles south. The Ashe juniper is one of the few trees that pollinates during winter months, with pollen release peaking from mid-December through February. The pollen is exceptionally lightweight and is carried long distances by prevailing south winds associated with warm fronts that periodically push through North Texas during winter. When these pollen clouds reach Collin County, residents who have never visited the Hill Country can develop severe allergy symptoms. Cedar fever is particularly disruptive because it strikes during months when most people assume pollen is not a concern, leading many McKinney residents to mistake their symptoms for colds or flu.
McKinney's humid subtropical climate features hot summers, mild winters, and average annual rainfall of 38–40 inches — conditions that support vigorous plant growth and year-round allergen production. The lack of a sustained hard freeze means that some grasses remain green and some trees continue producing pollen in reduced quantities even during the coolest months. Summer humidity regularly exceeds 70%, creating ideal conditions for dust mite reproduction and mold growth both indoors and outdoors. The combination of warmth and moisture also promotes aggressive mold colonization along the numerous creek corridors that thread through McKinney — including Wilson Creek, Honey Creek, and branches of the East Fork Trinity River — as well as around Lake Lavon, the 21,400-acre reservoir located just east of the city.
McKinney's parks and natural areas are among the city's greatest assets — and among its most significant allergen sources. Erwin Park's 212 acres of dense woodlands with 11 miles of mountain bike trails and hiking paths concentrate tree pollen during spring months. The Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary encompasses 289 acres of diverse habitats including wetlands, prairies, and bottomland forests that produce a wide range of pollen and mold spores throughout the year. Towne Lake Recreation Area, Bonnie Wenk Park, and the growing network of hike-and-bike trails connecting McKinney's neighborhoods all offer outdoor fitness opportunities but also expose residents to allergens during peak seasons. The city's extensive park system and outdoor-oriented suburban lifestyle mean McKinney residents spend considerable time in direct contact with local allergen sources.
For McKinney residents dealing with persistent or worsening allergy symptoms across multiple seasons, professional allergy evaluation can identify specific triggers and provide targeted treatment beyond over-the-counter medications. HeyAllergy offers telemedicine consultations with board-certified allergists licensed in Texas, providing convenient access to specialist care without the drive to a clinic or long wait times. After an allergy blood test identifies your specific triggers — whether cedar, oak, Bermuda grass, ragweed, dust mites, or mold — HeyAllergy's physicians can prescribe customized HeyPak sublingual immunotherapy drops that treat the root cause of your allergies from the comfort of your McKinney home. Starting at $47 per month, HeyPak drops are delivered to your doorstep, with most patients noticing symptom improvement within 3–6 months of starting treatment.
