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Real-time pollen data for Tampa — updated daily.
Tampa's tree pollen season is extraordinarily long — oak trees can begin releasing pollen as early as December, giving Tampa one of the earliest and most extended tree pollen seasons in the United States. Oak is the dominant tree allergen and Tampa's biggest pollen producer. The city has been ranked a world leader in urban tree canopy coverage by MIT's Senseable City Lab, which means Tampa's extensive greenery lowers urban temperatures but creates enormous pollen loads for allergy sufferers. Live oak and laurel oak are the primary species, producing massive quantities of fine, lightweight pollen that coats cars, outdoor furniture, and every exposed surface during peak months. Pine trees contribute significant pollen during spring. Cedar and juniper release pollen in late winter and early spring, overlapping with oak. Cypress trees are a notable Florida-specific allergen, releasing pollen in spring. Bayberry is a shrub that grows wild and in many Tampa Bay yards, producing pollen that triggers strong allergic reactions especially when combined with oak. Australian pine (Casuarina) is another Florida-specific tree allergen. Palm trees are ubiquitous in the Tampa landscape and produce pollen, though less allergenic than oak. Mulberry, elm, maple, and ash are present in residential neighborhoods.
Tampa's warm, humid subtropical climate supports an extended grass pollen season that runs roughly from April through October — far longer than in most U.S. cities. Bermuda grass is the dominant grass allergen, thriving in Tampa's heat. Bahia grass is widespread throughout Florida lawns and public spaces, producing significant pollen. St. Augustine grass is the most common residential lawn grass in Tampa Bay and contributes to pollen counts. Ryegrass releases pollen in cooler months and spring. Johnson grass is found in disturbed areas and along roadways. The near-constant warmth means grass never fully goes dormant, and some species can produce low-level pollen even outside peak season. Urbanization has changed the grass landscape — cultivated lawn grasses pollinate less than wild species, but the sheer acreage of grass in Tampa's yards, parks, athletic fields, and open spaces maintains high overall grass pollen loads.
Ragweed is the primary fall weed allergen in Tampa Bay. Florida's warm climate allows ragweed to continue producing pollen well into December and sometimes beyond — long after it would die off in northern states. Nettle is a significant weed allergen in the Tampa Bay area. Sagebrush and pigweed contribute additional weed pollen. Lamb's quarters and dock are present in disturbed soils and open areas. The extended warm season means weed pollen overlaps with the beginning of the next tree pollen season, creating windows in late fall and early winter where weed pollen and early tree pollen are airborne simultaneously. This overlap is unique to subtropical Florida and catches many residents off guard.
Tampa's subtropical humidity is arguably the single biggest factor driving year-round allergy symptoms. High humidity creates ideal conditions for mold growth both indoors and outdoors across every month of the year. Outdoor mold spores from Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Aspergillus are constantly present in Tampa's air. The rainy season from June through September brings daily afternoon thunderstorms that spike mold levels dramatically — damp conditions, standing water, and organic debris create explosive mold growth. Indoor mold thrives in bathrooms, kitchens, air conditioning systems, and anywhere moisture accumulates. Humidity also thickens nasal mucus, leading to chronic post-nasal drip that mimics and worsens allergy symptoms. Dust mites flourish in Tampa's warm, humid indoor environments and are one of the most significant year-round allergens. Cockroach allergens remain active throughout the year in Florida's climate. Pet dander is amplified by humidity.
Severity: Moderate to High
While most of the country gets a winter allergy break, Tampa's allergy season is already ramping up. Oak trees can begin pollinating as early as December, and cedar and cypress follow in January and February. Average winter temperatures in the Tampa Bay area range from the mid-50s to mid-70s — warm enough that plants continue growing, blooming, and releasing pollen through the winter months. Ragweed from the fall season may persist into December. Mold spores from outdoor sources and indoor environments remain active. Dust mites are particularly significant during winter months when homes may be closed up. This period catches many newcomers to Florida off guard — tree pollen season starting in December feels impossibly early compared to northern states.
Severity: High to Severe
This is Tampa's most intense allergy period. Oak pollen reaches peak levels, producing massive quantities of fine pollen that visibly coats everything outdoors. Pine pollen surges in March and April. Bayberry, cypress, mulberry, and other trees add overlapping pollen waves. By April, grass pollen begins overlapping with late tree pollen, creating weeks where multiple allergen types are airborne simultaneously. Tampa ranks 25th nationally for the most challenging places to live with pollen allergies, and this spring period is the primary driver. Warm, humid conditions also support increasing mold growth as temperatures rise toward summer.
Severity: Moderate to High
Tampa's rainy season brings daily afternoon thunderstorms that spike humidity and create explosive mold growth conditions. While tree pollen diminishes, grass pollen continues through the summer and mold spores become a dominant allergen. Bermuda grass, Bahia grass, and St. Augustine grass pollen remains active. The combination of high humidity, standing water, organic debris, and warm temperatures creates Tampa's highest mold spore counts of the year. Indoor mold in air conditioning systems, bathrooms, and kitchens is particularly problematic. The humidity itself thickens nasal mucus, producing chronic post-nasal drip that compounds allergy symptoms.
Severity: Moderate
Ragweed is the primary fall allergen, peaking in October. Nettle and other weeds contribute additional pollen. Mold spores remain elevated as the rainy season tapers off and organic material decomposes. The transition from rainy to dry season creates a brief window where mold counts begin to decline and weed pollen starts to fade. However, by late November, early tree pollen may already begin appearing, and ragweed can persist into December in Florida's warm climate. The seasonal transitions in Tampa are far more gradual than in northern states, with significant overlap between allergen sources.
Oak trees are Tampa's biggest allergy story. The city's world-leading urban tree canopy — recognized by MIT's Senseable City Lab — is dominated by live oak and laurel oak, and their pollination season runs from approximately December through May. That's a 6-month pollen siege that covers half the calendar year. Oak pollen is fine, lightweight, and travels easily through the air, coating your car, outdoor furniture, patio, and everything else in a visible yellow-green layer during peak months. If you've noticed your car covered in pollen dust from February through April, that's primarily oak. The pollen is so pervasive that avoiding it outdoors is essentially impossible during peak weeks — the strategy shifts to managing exposure by showering immediately after coming indoors, keeping windows closed, and running air purifiers.
Tampa's subtropical humidity is not just uncomfortable — it actively worsens your allergy symptoms through multiple mechanisms. High humidity creates ideal conditions for mold growth indoors and outdoors year-round. Humidity feeds dust mite populations, which thrive in warm, moist environments. Humid air thickens nasal mucus, producing chronic post-nasal drip that mimics allergy symptoms and compounds real allergic reactions. The humidity means your air conditioning system is constantly removing moisture, and if not properly maintained, AC units and ductwork become breeding grounds for mold that you then breathe continuously. Keeping indoor humidity between 40 and 50 percent with a dehumidifier is one of the most impactful steps Tampa residents can take for allergy management.
Tampa's rainy season from June through September brings daily afternoon thunderstorms that dramatically spike mold levels. Standing water, saturated soil, decaying organic material, and persistent moisture create explosive mold growth conditions both outdoors and in homes. Mold spores from Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Aspergillus become dominant airborne allergens during this period. Many Tampa residents notice their worst symptoms during rainy season even though tree pollen is low, and mold is often the unrecognized cause. If your symptoms are worse during summer despite lower pollen counts, mold sensitivity is the likely explanation and warrants professional testing.
Unlike northern states where freezing temperatures shut down pollen production for months, Tampa's subtropical climate means plants are on a nearly continuous blooming schedule. Oak pollen starts in December, tree pollen peaks through May, grass pollen runs April through October, ragweed covers September through December, and mold is constant year-round. The transitions between seasons overlap, creating periods where multiple allergen types are airborne simultaneously. Many Tampa residents who moved from colder climates expected a defined allergy season with a clear start and end — Florida doesn't work that way. If your allergies never seem to fully go away, they're not imagining it. Year-round symptoms require year-round management.
Florida's allergy profile is significantly different from northern and midwestern states. People who relocate to Tampa often experience a honeymoon period of one to three years before developing allergies to local triggers they've never encountered before. The subtropical allergens — Bahia grass, Australian pine, bayberry, and the intense year-round mold — are unfamiliar to immune systems accustomed to northern allergen profiles. If you recently moved to Tampa and are suddenly experiencing allergy symptoms for the first time, your immune system is likely reacting to new allergens. Professional allergy testing can identify your specific Florida triggers and guide appropriate treatment.
HeyAllergy offers telemedicine appointments with board-certified allergists and immunologists licensed in Florida. Book a virtual consultation from your home in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon, Temple Terrace, or anywhere in the Tampa Bay area. Have allergy blood tests ordered at a convenient local lab and receive your personalized treatment plan. HeyPak sublingual immunotherapy drops ship directly to your door and treat the root cause of allergies by building tolerance to your specific Florida triggers — from oak and Bermuda grass to mold and dust mites. For a city where allergy season never truly ends, treating the underlying cause offers relief that seasonal medications alone cannot sustain.
March and April are typically the worst months for tree pollen, when oak pollen reaches peak levels and coats everything outdoors. However, Tampa's allergy challenges are year-round. Oak pollen starts in December, grass pollen runs April through October, ragweed covers fall, and mold thrives in the subtropical humidity across every month. Tampa ranks 25th nationally for most challenging places to live with pollen allergies.
The most common allergens in Tampa are oak pollen, Bermuda grass, Bahia grass, ragweed, mold spores, and dust mites. Oak is Tampa's dominant tree allergen with a 6-month pollination season. Mold is a year-round trigger amplified by subtropical humidity. A blood allergy test identifies which specific allergens are triggering your symptoms.
Tampa's subtropical climate creates conditions unlike most U.S. cities. Plants bloom on a nearly continuous schedule with no hard freeze to shut down pollen production. Humidity feeds year-round mold and dust mite growth. Newcomers to Florida often develop allergies to local triggers like Bahia grass, Australian pine, and bayberry that their immune systems have never encountered. Professional allergy testing can identify your specific Florida triggers.
Yes. HeyAllergy provides telemedicine appointments with board-certified allergists and immunologists licensed in Florida. 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 oak, Bermuda grass, ragweed, mold, or dust mites. Over time, your immune system builds tolerance, reducing allergic reactions and medication dependence. Most patients notice improvement within 3 to 6 months.
HeyAllergy accepts Medicare and most major PPO health plans, including United Healthcare, Health Net, Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Shield, Cigna, Aetna, Humana, Oscar, and Tricare. Contact your insurance provider with Tax ID: 85-0834175 to confirm your specific telemedicine coverage.
Yes. Tampa's subtropical climate supports allergen production across every month. Tree pollen (December–May), grass pollen (April–October), and weed pollen (September–December) overlap in continuous succession. Mold thrives year-round in the humidity, spiking dramatically during the June–September rainy season. Dust mites are active throughout. There is no month in Tampa without significant allergen exposure.
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. Tampa Bay area residents can access specialist care immediately without waiting weeks for a local opening.
Tampa, Florida, sits on the western coast of the Florida peninsula along Tampa Bay with approximately 400,000 residents in the city proper and over 3 million in the greater Tampa Bay metropolitan area. The city's subtropical climate — characterized by hot, humid summers, mild winters, and a pronounced rainy season — creates one of the most challenging allergy environments in the United States. Tampa ranks 25th nationally for the most challenging places to live with pollen allergies, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. But pollen is only part of the story. The constant humidity feeds year-round mold growth, supports enormous dust mite populations, and ensures that allergens never truly go dormant. For people accustomed to the defined allergy seasons of northern states, Tampa's continuous allergen exposure is a fundamentally different experience.
Tampa has been ranked a world leader in urban tree canopy coverage by MIT's Senseable City Lab through its Treepedia project. This extensive green canopy lowers urban temperatures and provides environmental benefits, but it also creates enormous pollen loads for allergy sufferers. Oak trees dominate Tampa's canopy and are the city's single biggest pollen producer. Live oak and laurel oak release massive quantities of fine, lightweight pollen that becomes airborne and travels significant distances. Remarkably, Tampa's oak trees begin pollinating as early as December — giving the city one of the longest tree pollen seasons in the country, running approximately six months from December through May. During peak months, oak pollen visibly coats cars, outdoor furniture, sidewalks, and every exposed surface. The sheer volume is hard to overstate for residents who haven't experienced a Tampa spring. Pine, cedar, cypress, bayberry, mulberry, and Australian pine add overlapping pollen waves throughout the extended season.
Tampa's humidity is not just a comfort issue — it's a fundamental driver of the allergy environment. Average humidity levels remain high across all twelve months, creating ideal conditions for mold growth, dust mite proliferation, and chronic respiratory irritation. Mold grows on outdoor surfaces, in soil, on vegetation, and inside homes — in bathrooms, kitchens, air conditioning systems, ductwork, and anywhere moisture accumulates. The rainy season from June through September brings daily afternoon thunderstorms that dramatically spike mold spore counts. Standing water, saturated soil, and decaying organic material create explosive mold growth during these months. High humidity also thickens nasal mucus, producing chronic post-nasal drip that compounds allergic inflammation. Dust mites, which require humid environments to survive, thrive year-round in Tampa's homes. The combination of constant mold exposure and dust mite populations means indoor allergens in Tampa are significantly more intense than in drier climates.
In most of the United States, freezing winter temperatures kill off pollen-producing plants and give allergy sufferers a seasonal break. Florida's subtropical climate offers no such reprieve. Tampa's plants operate on a nearly continuous blooming schedule. Oak and cedar pollen begins in December. Peak tree pollen runs through May. Grass pollen starts in April and continues through October, with Bermuda, Bahia, and St. Augustine grasses producing pollen across the extended warm season. Ragweed and fall weeds cover September through December. The transitions between these seasons overlap, creating periods where tree and grass pollen, or weed and early tree pollen, are airborne simultaneously. Climate change is extending these seasons further — warmer temperatures produce more pollen and stretch growing seasons longer. The result is that Tampa has no month where both pollen and mold are simultaneously low. Every month of the year presents at least one significant outdoor allergen source plus constant indoor triggers.
Tampa's rapid population growth brings thousands of new residents annually from northern and midwestern states. Many of these newcomers experience an allergy adjustment period. After one to three years in Florida, people who never had significant allergies may suddenly develop symptoms. Their immune systems encounter subtropical allergens they've never been exposed to — Bahia grass, Australian pine, bayberry, and the intense mold levels that don't exist in drier or colder climates. The extended pollen seasons compound the issue. Someone who managed their northern oak allergy during a two-month spring season now faces six months of oak pollen in Tampa. Grass allergy sufferers accustomed to a brief summer season now face seven months of grass pollen. The year-round nature of Tampa's allergens means over-the-counter antihistamines that provided seasonal relief up north may prove insufficient for continuous exposure.
HeyAllergy's telemedicine platform connects Tampa Bay residents to board-certified allergists and immunologists licensed in Florida. A virtual consultation from your home means no sitting in Tampa traffic or waiting rooms to see a specialist. 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 Tampa's subtropical allergen environment. For a city where allergy season never truly ends — where oak pollen starts in December, mold thrives in every month's humidity, and grass pollen runs more than half the year — treating the underlying cause of your allergies provides the sustained relief that seasonal medication rotations alone cannot deliver.
