High Pollen in New Orleans, LA

About pollen in New Orleans

Weed pollen is the main concern in New Orleans today, running high enough to bother those with sensitivities, especially anyone reactive to ragweed. Grass pollen is also active at a moderate level and could add to the irritation for sensitive individuals. Tree pollen, by contrast, is barely present and shouldn't be a factor for most people. Looking ahead, weed pollen is expected to stay high for the next few days before easing slightly toward the end of the period, while grass pollen should hold steady before tapering off as well. Tree pollen will remain minimal throughout, which fits the season — oak, ash, cypress (taxodium), palm (phoeni), and yaupon holly (ile) have all finished their active release for the year. This time of year in New Orleans, ragweed and other late-season weeds typically dominate, so those with fall allergies are likely to notice the most impact through early October.

What to do today

• Avoid mowing the lawn and raking leaves.
• When driving the car, close your windows and turn the air conditioning system to recirculation mode.
• Keep your windows closed and turn on your air purifier or air conditioning.
• Consider staying indoors during the peak pollen hours (morning and early afternoon).

Tree map

Every dot is a tree near New Orleans, colored by how allergenic it is. Click one for its details, and zoom in for a closer look.

Top tree-pollen sources

The local tree genera behind today's pollen near New Orleans. Each bar is that genus's share of the tree pollen.

Meet the trees near you

Get to know the tree types growing around New Orleans: what each looks like, how allergenic it is, and when it blooms.

Southern Live Oak

Quercus virginiana

Allergenicity 4/4Blooms spring

Slash Pine

Pinus elliottii

Allergenicity 1/4Blooms spring

Ornamental Pear

Pyrus calleryana

Allergenicity 1/4Blooms spring

Chinese Elm

Ulmus parvifolia

Allergenicity 3/4Blooms spring

Water Oak

Quercus nigra

Allergenicity 4/4Blooms spring

Red Maple

Acer rubrum

Allergenicity 3/4Blooms spring

Shumard Oak

Quercus shumardii

Allergenicity 4/4Blooms spring

Willow Oak

Quercus phellos

Allergenicity 4/4Blooms spring

Japanese Privet

Ligustrum japonicum

Allergenicity 2/4Blooms spring

Texas Red Oak; Nuttall Oak

Quercus texana

Allergenicity 4/4Blooms spring

Sugarberry

Celtis laevigata

Allergenicity 3/4Blooms spring

White Mulberry

Morus alba

Allergenicity 5/4Blooms spring

American Sycamore

Platanus occidentalis

Allergenicity 4/4Blooms spring

Mexican Ash

Fraxinus berlandieriana

Allergenicity 4/4Blooms spring

Southern Red Oak

Quercus falcata

Allergenicity 4/4Blooms spring

River Birch

Betula nigra

Allergenicity 5/4Blooms spring

Common questions

What is the pollen count in New Orleans, LA today?

New Orleans, LA is at a high 4 out of 5 on the Universal Pollen Index today, driven mainly by weed pollen. Over the next five days it ranges from 3 to 4 of 5.

Is weed pollen high in New Orleans, LA right now?

Weed pollen is high today at 4 of 5, and it's in season now. Many allergy sufferers will have symptoms.

What plants are causing allergies in New Orleans, LA?

The main sources right now are Oak, Ash, Taxodium, Phoeni, and Ile. Elm (Ulmaceae (the Elm family), Two distinct seasons, late winter to early spring, and late summer to fall (species dependent)) is actively pollinating.