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Real-time pollen data for Reno — updated daily.
Reno's tree pollen profile reflects its unique position at the interface of the Great Basin high desert and the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains. Juniper is the most significant tree allergen in northern Nevada — western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) and Utah juniper cover vast areas of the high desert surrounding the Truckee Meadows and produce substantial pollen from February through April. Juniper pollen is fine, wind-dispersed, and can travel long distances from the extensive juniper woodlands in the surrounding hills. Pine trees from the Sierra Nevada foothills contribute significant pollen from March through May — Jeffrey pine, ponderosa pine, and pinyon pine grow in the mountains west of Reno and their pollen drifts down into the valley on westerly winds. Cottonwood trees grow along the Truckee River corridor and produce both pollen and visible cotton-like seed dispersal in spring. Willow trees along waterways pollinate in early spring (February–March). Maple and box elder are common urban trees in Reno's established neighborhoods and produce pollen from March through April. Oak trees contribute spring pollen. Elm and ash round out the urban tree allergen mix. The proximity to Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada means Reno receives pollen from mountain vegetation that cities in the flat desert basin (like Las Vegas) do not — including high-elevation conifers and mountain shrubs that pollinate as snowmelt reveals their branches in spring. Reno's elevation (4,500 feet) places it in a transitional zone between desert and mountain ecosystems, combining allergens from both environments.
Grass pollen season in Reno is relatively brief but intense, compressed into roughly three months before summer heat suppresses production. Ryegrass and bluegrass (Kentucky bluegrass) are the most common lawn and landscape grasses in the Truckee Meadows and produce substantial pollen from May through early July. Bermuda grass, widely used in southern Nevada, is less common in Reno due to cooler winters but is still present in some landscapes. Timothy grass, orchard grass, fescue, and bent grass contribute additional pollen. The grass allergen mix in Reno is more diverse than in Las Vegas because the cooler climate supports cool-season grasses (ryegrass, bluegrass, fescue) that do not thrive in the Mojave Desert's extreme heat. The University of Nevada, Reno campus, Idlewild Park along the Truckee River, Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, and the city's extensive park system provide significant grass pollen sources. Agricultural areas in the surrounding valleys (Lemmon Valley, Spanish Springs, Washoe Valley) grow alfalfa and other hay crops that contribute grass and crop pollen during the growing season. By mid-July, rising temperatures suppress grass pollen production, providing a brief reprieve before fall weed season begins.
Sagebrush is Reno's signature allergen — so deeply woven into the region's identity that Artemisia (the genus name for sagebrush) is the name of the University of Nevada's yearbook. Great Basin sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) covers millions of acres of the high desert surrounding the Truckee Meadows and produces enormous quantities of highly allergenic pollen from late summer through fall. Sagebrush pollen is the single most common cause of fall hay fever and asthma symptoms in northern Nevada. Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), a related species, adds additional Artemisia pollen. Ragweed appears from late August through October and has become established in disturbed soils, roadsides, and urban areas. Russian thistle (tumbleweed) is ubiquitous across the high desert and produces allergenic pollen in late summer through fall. Pigweed (amaranth), lamb's quarters, orache (saltbush), and dock contribute additional fall weed pollen. The vast expanses of undeveloped sagebrush steppe surrounding Reno on all sides except the Sierra Nevada to the west mean that weed pollen loads can be extraordinarily high when wind carries pollen from the surrounding desert into the valley. Fall is consistently one of the worst allergy seasons in northern Nevada, with sagebrush as the primary driver.
Wildfire smoke has become one of the most significant respiratory challenges in Reno, distinct from biological allergens but profoundly affecting everyone with allergic rhinitis, asthma, or respiratory sensitivity. Research from the Desert Research Institute (DRI) measured air quality in Reno over a 19-month period and documented smoke from more than 106 wildfires impacting the city's air. The study found that wildfire smoke significantly increases PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) and carbon monoxide concentrations. Six of the top 10 worst air quality days in northern Nevada history have occurred within the last five years, all from wildfire smoke. The Truckee Meadows valley acts as what local air quality experts describe as a vacuum for smoke — prevailing westerly winds carry smoke from California fires over the Sierra Nevada and into the valley, where it can become trapped if winds are calm. The 2021 Dixie and Caldor fires produced air quality that reached hazardous levels (AQI above 300) and forced school closures across the region. In winter, temperature inversions — where cold air is trapped in the valley basin beneath a layer of warmer air — concentrate particulate matter, vehicle emissions, and any remaining biological allergens near the valley floor for days at a time. These inversions are a well-documented phenomenon in mountain valley cities like Reno, Salt Lake City, and Boise. Indoor allergens including dust mites, pet dander, and mold (from HVAC systems and humidifiers in the dry climate) are year-round concerns, particularly during winter when homes are sealed against cold temperatures.
Severity: Low (Pollen) / Variable (Air Quality)
Winter provides Reno's best reprieve from biological pollen — cold temperatures and snow suppress most plant activity. However, winter is not free of respiratory challenges. Temperature inversions are common from December through February, trapping cold, polluted air in the Truckee Meadows valley basin. During inversions, particulate matter from vehicle emissions, residential wood-burning, and any lingering smoke accumulates near the valley floor, sometimes for days at a time. These inversions can push air quality into the unhealthy range even without wildfire smoke. The extremely dry winter air (humidity frequently below 20%) dries nasal passages, reducing the protective mucus layer that traps allergens. Indoor allergens — pet dander, dust mites, and mold from heating systems and humidifiers — become the primary triggers as people spend more time in sealed, heated homes. Juniper begins pollinating in late February in warmer years, and willow can produce early pollen along the Truckee River corridor. By late February, the earliest tree pollen signals the approaching spring allergy season.
Severity: High to Severe
Spring brings Reno's most intense tree pollen season. Juniper pollen from the extensive woodlands surrounding the Truckee Meadows surges in March and April, driven by warm, windy conditions. Pine pollen drifts down from the Sierra Nevada foothills on westerly winds. Cottonwood, willow, maple, elm, and ash produce overlapping urban tree pollen. By May, grass pollen from ryegrass and bluegrass begins surging, creating an overlap period where tree and grass allergens compound each other. Spring is also Reno's windiest season, with gusts that can exceed 50 mph. Wind events generate high-desert dust and amplify pollen dispersal across the valley. The combination of peak juniper pollen, emerging grass pollen, and frequent wind events makes March through May the most challenging period for allergy sufferers in Reno. Snowmelt in the Sierra Nevada foothills reveals vegetation that begins pollinating as soon as it is exposed, extending the source area for tree pollen. Late spring storms can briefly knock down pollen counts, but the relief is temporary.
Severity: Moderate (Pollen) / Potentially Severe (Smoke)
Early summer sees the tail end of grass pollen season, with ryegrass, bluegrass, and Timothy grass peaking in June before summer heat begins suppressing production by mid-July. Sagebrush and other weeds begin pollinating in July, marking the transition to fall weed season. However, the defining respiratory challenge of Reno's summer is wildfire smoke. Fire season typically runs from June through October, and California fires frequently send smoke over the Sierra Nevada into the Truckee Meadows. DRI research documented smoke from 106+ wildfires impacting Reno in just 19 months. Smoke events can arrive with little warning and push air quality from good to hazardous within hours. The 2020 and 2021 fire seasons produced some of the worst air quality days in Reno's recorded history. Smoke events compound the effects of biological allergens — PM2.5 from wildfire smoke inflames airways already sensitized by pollen, and the particles can linger in the valley for days when winds are calm. University of Nevada research suggests that wildfire smoke effects on respiratory systems can persist significantly longer than the duration of smoke exposure itself.
Severity: Moderate to High
Fall is consistently one of northern Nevada's worst allergy seasons. Sagebrush pollen — Reno's signature allergen — reaches its peak from September through October. The millions of acres of sagebrush steppe surrounding the Truckee Meadows produce enormous pollen loads that prevailing winds carry into the valley. Ragweed overlaps with sagebrush season. Russian thistle, pigweed, and orache add additional fall weed pollen. Wildfire smoke can persist into September and October, compounding biological allergen effects. The 2022 Mosquito Fire produced hazardous air quality in Reno during September, threatening the city's beloved Hot Air Balloon races. By November, cold temperatures begin suppressing weed pollen, and the first winter inversions may form, trapping remaining particulates in the valley. The transition from fall allergens to winter inversions means respiratory challenges continue without a clean break.
Reno sits in the Truckee Meadows — a valley basin at approximately 4,500 feet elevation, bounded by the Sierra Nevada range to the west and the Virginia Range to the east. This bowl-shaped geography has profound implications for air quality and allergen exposure. In summer and fall, prevailing westerly winds carry wildfire smoke from California fires over the Sierra Nevada and funnel it into the valley, where it can become trapped if conditions are calm. Local air quality experts describe the Truckee Meadows as acting like a vacuum for smoke. In winter, temperature inversions trap cold, polluted air in the valley basin beneath a cap of warmer air above, concentrating particulates at ground level for days. These inversions are particularly severe on calm, clear nights when radiative cooling causes cold air to pool on the valley floor. The practical implication is that air quality in Reno can swing dramatically — from excellent on clear, breezy days to hazardous during smoke events or inversions. Monitor AirNow (airnow.gov) daily, especially during fire season (June–October) and inversion season (December–February). When air quality exceeds AQI 100, limit outdoor activity. When it exceeds AQI 150, stay indoors with windows closed and air purifiers running.
Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) defines the northern Nevada landscape — it is Nevada's official state flower and lends its genus name to the University of Nevada's yearbook. It also happens to be the single most common cause of fall hay fever and asthma symptoms in the Reno area. Great Basin sagebrush covers millions of acres of the high desert surrounding the Truckee Meadows on all sides except the Sierra Nevada to the west. When wind blows from the north, east, or south, it carries sagebrush pollen from this vast source area directly into the valley. You cannot avoid sagebrush pollen in Reno — it is as fundamental to the landscape as the mountains themselves. If you are sensitized to Artemisia species, the most effective long-term strategy is immunotherapy (allergy drops) that builds tolerance to sagebrush pollen so your immune system stops overreacting to it. In the short term, track pollen counts through the local pollen hotline maintained by Dr. Boris Lokshin's office (775-359-5010, option 6) and limit outdoor activity on high sagebrush days, particularly during late summer and fall.
Wildfire smoke has transformed Reno's summer and fall respiratory landscape. DRI research measured 106+ wildfires impacting Reno's air in just 19 months. Six of the top 10 worst air quality days in northern Nevada history have occurred within the last five years, all from wildfire smoke. University of Nevada, Reno researchers have found that the effects of wildfire smoke on respiratory systems can linger significantly longer than previously reported — meaning repeated seasonal smoke exposure has cumulative health effects. For allergy sufferers, smoke is particularly damaging because PM2.5 particles inflame airways that are already sensitized by pollen, lowering the threshold at which biological allergens trigger symptoms. During smoke events, run HEPA air purifiers in bedrooms and main living areas. Seal gaps around windows and doors. Avoid outdoor exercise when AQI exceeds 100. Consider an N95 or KN95 mask for necessary outdoor activity during smoky periods. If you notice that your allergy symptoms consistently worsen during fire season beyond what pollen alone would explain, the compounding effect of smoke on sensitized airways may be the cause.
Reno's elevation of approximately 4,500 feet and its high-desert aridity create respiratory challenges unique to mountain-desert cities. The air at this elevation contains roughly 15% less oxygen than at sea level, which means your respiratory system works harder with every breath. Combined with extremely dry air (winter humidity frequently below 20%, summer humidity 10-25%), the nasal and bronchial passages that normally trap and neutralize allergens dry out, reducing their protective function. Pollen grains and dust particles that would be trapped by moist mucus membranes in a humid climate can penetrate deeper into dried-out airways. This is why newcomers to Reno from humid climates sometimes develop allergy symptoms they never experienced before — the arid environment disables the body's natural filtration. Maintain nasal moisture with daily saline irrigation. Use a humidifier in bedrooms to maintain 30-40% indoor humidity. Stay well hydrated, as the dry air increases fluid loss through respiration. These simple measures help restore the nasal mucus barrier that is your first line of defense against allergens.
HeyAllergy offers telemedicine appointments with board-certified allergists and immunologists licensed in Nevada. 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 sagebrush, juniper, pine, ryegrass, ragweed, dust mites, or pet dander. In a city where biological pollen, wildfire smoke, and valley inversions combine to create a complex respiratory environment, treating the underlying allergic sensitivity is the most effective path to lasting relief. Most patients notice improvement within 3 to 6 months.
March through May is the worst for tree pollen (juniper, pine, cottonwood), while September through October is the worst for weed pollen (sagebrush, ragweed). Summer fire season (June–October) can produce hazardous air quality from wildfire smoke that compounds allergen effects. Winter inversions (December–February) trap pollutants in the valley.
The most common allergens in northern Nevada are sagebrush (Nevada's dominant fall allergen), juniper, pine, cottonwood, ryegrass, bluegrass, ragweed, Russian thistle, dust mites, and pet dander. Sagebrush is responsible for more fall hay fever and asthma symptoms in Reno than any other single allergen. A blood allergy test identifies your specific triggers.
Wildfire smoke has become a major respiratory challenge. DRI research documented smoke from 106+ wildfires impacting Reno in just 19 months. Six of the top 10 worst air quality days in northern Nevada history occurred in the last five years, all from wildfire smoke. The Truckee Meadows valley can trap smoke for days. Smoke events compound allergy symptoms by inflaming already-sensitized airways.
Yes. HeyAllergy provides telemedicine appointments with board-certified allergists and immunologists licensed in Nevada. 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 sagebrush, juniper, pine, ryegrass, 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, Health Net, 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.
Many newcomers develop allergies they never had before. Reno's dry air (humidity often below 20%) dries nasal passages, disabling the mucus barrier that normally traps allergens. The 4,500-foot elevation means less oxygen per breath. Sagebrush and juniper — allergens not common in most other regions — expose your immune system to unfamiliar triggers. Allergy testing identifies your new triggers so treatment can target them specifically.
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. Your allergist will order blood tests at a local lab and develop a treatment plan personalized to Reno's specific allergen mix.
Reno, Nevada — population approximately 265,000 and the second-largest city in Nevada — occupies the Truckee Meadows, a valley basin at approximately 4,500 feet elevation nestled between the Sierra Nevada range to the west and the Virginia Range to the east. This geographic setting creates one of the most distinctive respiratory environments of any American city: a high-desert valley that receives pollen from both desert and mountain ecosystems, traps wildfire smoke from California fires in its bowl-shaped topography, and concentrates winter air pollution through temperature inversions. The Truckee River flows through the heart of the city from Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake, creating a riparian corridor of cottonwood, willow, and other water-loving trees that adds biodiversity — and allergens — to what would otherwise be a purely high-desert pollen profile. The city's position at the interface of the Great Basin and the Sierra Nevada means Reno residents encounter allergens from two distinct ecosystems simultaneously, a combination unique to western Nevada.
No single plant defines Reno's allergen identity more than sagebrush. Great Basin sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) is the dominant vegetation across millions of acres of northern Nevada's high desert. It is Nevada's official state flower, lends its genus name (Artemisia) to the University of Nevada's yearbook, and is woven into virtually every aspect of the region's cultural and natural identity. It is also the single most common cause of fall hay fever and asthma symptoms in northern Nevada. Sagebrush pollen is highly allergenic, wind-dispersed, and produced in enormous quantities from the vast expanses of sagebrush steppe that surround the Truckee Meadows on all sides except the Sierra Nevada to the west. When wind blows from any direction except due west, it carries sagebrush pollen from this immense source area directly into the valley. For many Reno residents, sagebrush allergy is the defining feature of their respiratory health — particularly those who relocated from regions where Artemisia species are uncommon. Newcomers may have no prior sensitization and can develop strong allergic reactions within their first few years of exposure. The allergenic pollen season in northern Nevada runs from February through November, with sagebrush dominating the late summer and fall months.
Wildfire smoke has fundamentally changed the respiratory landscape of the Reno-Sparks area. Research from the Desert Research Institute (DRI), headquartered in Reno, measured air quality over a 19-month period and documented smoke from more than 106 wildfires impacting the city's air. The research found that wildfire smoke significantly increases both PM2.5 (fine particulate matter that penetrates deep into lungs) and carbon monoxide concentrations. According to the Washoe County Health District, six of the top 10 worst air quality days in northern Nevada history have occurred within the last five years — all attributable to wildfire smoke. The Truckee Meadows valley's topography makes it particularly vulnerable. Prevailing westerly winds carry smoke from California's increasingly intense wildfires over the Sierra Nevada crest and into the valley basin. Local air quality experts describe the Truckee Meadows as acting like a vacuum for smoke — once smoke settles into the valley, it requires strong winds to push it out. The 2020 and 2021 fire seasons were catastrophic for Reno's air quality: the Dixie and Caldor fires in 2021 produced hazardous air quality levels (AQI exceeding 300) that forced school closures across multiple Nevada counties. The 2022 Mosquito Fire produced similar conditions during September, threatening the city's beloved Great Reno Balloon Race. University of Nevada, Reno researchers have found evidence that the respiratory effects of wildfire smoke exposure can persist significantly longer than previously assumed, suggesting that repeated seasonal exposure has cumulative health impacts.
While wildfire smoke dominates summer and fall headlines, Reno faces a separate air quality challenge during winter: temperature inversions. These meteorological events occur when cold, dense air settles into the Truckee Meadows valley basin and becomes trapped beneath a cap of warmer air above. The inversion acts like a lid, preventing vertical mixing and concentrating pollutants — vehicle emissions, residential wood-burning smoke, and any biological allergens — near the valley floor. Inversions can persist for days during calm, clear winter weather, gradually degrading air quality as pollutants accumulate. Prescribed burns from forest management operations in the Sierra Nevada can compound winter inversions when smoke drifts into the valley during inversion conditions. The 2024 prescribed burns near the Truckee Tahoe Airport produced unhealthy air quality in Reno when smoke settled into an existing inversion layer. Winter inversions are a well-documented phenomenon in mountain valley cities, and Reno shares this challenge with Salt Lake City, Boise, and other communities situated in similar topographic basins. For allergy sufferers, inversions mean that even the winter months — typically the best period for biological pollen — can present respiratory challenges from concentrated particulate matter.
Reno's position at the boundary between the Great Basin desert and the Sierra Nevada mountains creates a uniquely diverse allergen profile. From the east, north, and south, the vast sagebrush steppe of the Great Basin sends juniper, sagebrush, Russian thistle, and desert dust into the valley. From the west, the Sierra Nevada foothills contribute pine pollen (Jeffrey pine, ponderosa, pinyon), mountain brush species, and the seasonal snowmelt that feeds the Truckee River's riparian corridor of cottonwood and willow. The Truckee Meadows itself adds a third layer: urban vegetation planted for landscaping, including maples, elms, ash trees, and extensive irrigated grass in parks, the university campus, and residential yards. Agricultural activity in surrounding valleys (Spanish Springs, Lemmon Valley, Washoe Valley) adds alfalfa and grass crop pollen. This convergence of desert, mountain, and urban allergens means Reno's allergy profile is significantly more complex than either a pure desert city (Las Vegas) or a pure mountain community (Lake Tahoe). For residents sensitized to multiple allergen types, this complexity translates to a longer and more varied allergy season than either ecosystem would produce alone.
HeyAllergy's telemedicine platform connects Reno and northern Nevada residents to board-certified allergists and immunologists licensed in Nevada — providing expert allergy care from the comfort of home. A virtual consultation eliminates waiting rooms and scheduling delays. Allergy blood tests are ordered at a convenient local lab, and 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 — whether sagebrush, juniper, pine, ryegrass, ragweed, dust mites, or pet dander. In a city where biological pollen, wildfire smoke, and valley inversions combine to create a complex and evolving respiratory environment, 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.
