Sniffling and sneezing? You may be suffering from Cedar Fever - Tucson News Now

While spring is peak pollen season for the desert, winter still poses an allergy threat. 

This time of year people can suffer from "Cedar Fever", which refers to the allergic reaction to cypress and juniper tree pollen.  

These types of trees can be found in Tucson but are far more common at higher elevations, including in the mountain ranges surrounding the city. 

Dr. Aaron Davis, M.D. in Phoenix writes in a blog entry "higher altitudes support the growth of pine trees and juniper trees, also referred to as Pinyon-Juniper Woodland. These plants produce pollen that can be carried 40,000 feet up into the atmosphere and can be transferred fifty miles from the source."

That means the trees can be a source of the pollen even for the low deserts of Arizona.  

On windy days, there is an increase in pollen blowing into the air. 

Below is the Pollen Level Forecast for this week.  

Friday will be breezy, which is why there is a slight spike in pollen levels on that day.

According to the University of Arizona's Tucson Urban Pollen Calendar, pollen from the Juniper family ramps up in January and peaks in February.  

The University of Arizona Health Sciences Center has a Pollen Calendar for Tucson plus the surrounding desert so you can track what pollen is affecting your sinuses through the year.  

Tucson Urban Pollen Calendar

Tucson Desert Pollen Calendar

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