How Climate Change Is Making Allergies Worse: What To Know In RI

RHODE ISLAND — If it feels as if the misery of the spring allergy season starts earlier, is more intense and lasts longer in Rhode Island, it’s not your imagination, according to a slew of recent forecasts and studies.

Climate Central, a scientific research and journalism organization, said a new analysis of trends from 2022 through 2024 revealed significant, consistent shifts in both the timing and intensity of allergy seasons across several regions and cities, including in the Providence area.

Researchers assessed temperature trends in 198 U.S. cities to see how the length of the freeze-free growing season changed from 1970 through 2024. In 172 of the cities, or 87 percent of them, they found the freeze-free season lengthened by 20 days on average.

In 70 of those cities, the time between the annual last and first freeze grew by at least three weeks, including in Reno, Nevada, Las Cruces, New Mexico, Medford, Oregon and Tupelo, Mississippi.

In Rhode Island, the freeze-free season lengthened by 29 days on average.

What AccuWeather Expects In Rhode Island

In a forecast released this week, AccuWeather said pollen counts are on the rise as warm spring weather spreads across the country.

“Millions of people living with seasonal allergies will be struggling with more intense symptoms that will likely stick around longer this year in many areas,” AccuWeather senior meteorologist and allergy expert Alan Reppert said in a news release. “You can blame wet and warm weather patterns expected later this year for pollen levels that will reach levels higher than the historical average in many places.”

Some areas in the Northeast and Great Lakes that experience a late frost and a later start to the growing season will see lower tree pollen levels this spring. Also, the private weather company’s meteorologists pointed out, the last frost of the season may arrive later than the historical average in parts of northeastern Georgia, western South Carolina, as well as southern and central North Carolina. Cooler air will slow tree pollen production.

According to AccuWeather, Rhode Island is expected to see high levels of grass pollen, average levels of tree pollen, and average levels of weed pollen.

Pollen On The Rise In These Places

Other allergy season discussions show spring is well underway in many parts of the country. Meteorological spring began March 1, while the more traditional first day of spring occurs with the vernal equinox — this year on March 20.

Spring leaves are emerging early on the West Coast and the southern half of the country, according to the Natural Phenology Network. Flowers are already blooming in places such as Atlanta and Charlotte, North Carolina.

See the ‘Asthma Capitals’

The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America released its 2025 Allergy Capitals study Tuesday, with the top 10 cities all in the southern half of the country: Wichita, Kansas; New Orleans; Oklahoma City; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Memphis, Tennessee; Little Rock, Arkansas; Raleigh, North Carolina; Richmond, Virginia; Greenville, South Carolina; and Greensboro, North Carolina, respectively.

The study ranks the top 100 cities based on pollen scores for trees, grasses and weeds, along with data on over-the-counter allergy medications and the number of local allergy specialists.

Providence ranks No. 78 on the list, with a "better than average" score, so it's not the worst place to live if asthma is a factor.

Longer Allergy Season A New Normal

Climate Central said its report is supported by a growing body of research that shows climate change and an increase in greenhouse emissions are leading to warming temperatures, shifts in seasonal patterns and more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which affect both the severity and duration of the allergy season.

About a quarter (26 percent) of adults and 19 percent of children in the United States have seasonal allergies caused by airborne plant pollen and mold spores, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Pollen triggers a range of seasonal ailments, from hay fever to allergic rhinitis and pollen allergies, A longer allergy season may increase hospitalizations for respiratory conditions such as asthma that are triggered by higher pollen counts, according to the CDC, which estimates Americans spend $3 billion a year in medical expenses during allergy season, almost half of it for prescription and medication costs.

Common symptoms of pollen allergies include sneezing, sniffling, coughing and watery eyes. Symptoms among people with asthma can also include shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain, wheezing, a drop in lung function and waking at night due to symptoms.