Katoomba pollen forecast - today, tomorrow and the week ahead
Pollen Today
Today (20 September) pollen in Katoomba is high; eucalyptus is high; acacia and cypress are low.
Pollen Tomorrow
Tomorrow (21 September 2026) cypress remains low, eucalyptus remains high, acacia no longer expected.
7-Day Trend
Over the next week acacia, cypress, and eucalyptus will increase; grass will remain stable.
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Pollen Risk
Today - 20 September
| Pollen species | Level | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Acacia (Acacia) | Low | 15/100 |
| Cypress (Cupressaceae) | Low | 22/100 |
| Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) | High | 70/100 |
| Grass (Poaceae) | None | 0/100 |
Tomorrow - 21 September
| Pollen species | Level | Value | 7-Day Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acacia (Acacia) | None | 0/100 | |
| Cypress (Cupressaceae) | Low | 1/100 | |
| Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) | High | 59/100 | |
| Grass (Poaceae) | None | 0/100 |
Local Environmental Conditions
Perched in the Blue Mountains escarpment, Katoomba is enveloped by tall eucalypt forest — blue gum, scribbly gum and stringybark — with a dense understorey of banksia, hakea and other heathy shrubs, plus cool-climate garden plantings of introduced deciduous trees through the town itself. Introduced pasture and turf grasses are the leading source of airborne pollen through spring and early summer here, layered over an earlier, shorter eucalypt and wattle season in the cooler months.
Perched over 1,000 metres up in the Blue Mountains, Katoomba runs a cooler, later pollen season than the Sydney basin below. Eucalyptus and wattle flowering is pushed back into September, and grass pollen from ryegrass and other pasture species doesn't peak until November, sometimes stretching into December. The elevation keeps overnight temperatures low well into spring, slowing plant development, while surrounding eucalypt forest keeps background tree pollen present for much of the year at moderate rather than extreme levels.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pollen in New South Wales
Is pollen high in Katoomba right now?
On 20 September 2026, overall pollen levels in Katoomba are high. Myrtle is the main contributor to airborne pollen, while acacia and cypress remain at lower levels
Will pollen levels change in Katoomba tomorrow?
On 21 September 2026, pollen conditions in Katoomba will be different from today, with cypress at low levels, myrtle at high levels
Is pollen expected to decrease in Katoomba this week?
According to the five-day outlook, acacia, cypress, and myrtle pollen levels will increase later in the week.
Which pollen types are currently active in Katoomba?
On 20 September 2026, Myrtle is the dominant pollen source in Katoomba. acacia and cypress are also present but at lower levels. grass are not currently active.
When is pollen season in Katoomba?
How often is the Katoomba pollen forecast updated?
The Katoomba pollen forecast is updated four times daily. See the timestamp below for the most recent update.
Does pollen in Katoomba come from nearby or far away?
Studies show that most pollen exposure (often 70–90%) comes from nearby sources, such as local trees and vegetation. A good pollen forecast therefore depends on accurately representing local vegetation. Pollen can travel long distances, but this usually matters only early in the season or during specific wind events.
Are pollen levels in Katoomba based on measurements or forecasts?
Pollen data is often misunderstood. Most "pollen levels" are not real-time measurements, but forecasts.
Direct pollen measurements are typically delayed by 1-2 days because they require manual analysis. To show current conditions in Katoomba, modern forecasts combine recent measurements, weather data, and information about local vegetation.
This allows us to estimate pollen levels for today and the coming days, not just report the past.
Airmine’s atmospheric monitoring platform was developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team, using satellite and Earth observation technologies to improve emissions monitoring.
Understanding the Scale
The 0–100 scores represent risk levels, not direct measurements of pollen or air pollutant concentrations. Higher scores indicate higher risk. Pollen and air quality use different thresholds.
Pollen
| None | 0 | No or negligible risk of exposure. Pollen/mold exposure is expected to be minimal. |
| Low | 0-25 | Low risk of exposure. Small amounts of pollen or mold spores may be present. |
| Moderate | 25-50 | Moderate risk of exposure. Pollen/mold exposure is expected to be noticeable. |
| High | 50-75 | High risk of exposure. Elevated pollen/mold exposure is expected. |
| Very High | 75-100 | Very high risk of exposure. Pollen/mold exposure is expected to be at or near its highest levels. |
Get More in the Airmine Pollen app
Get 15-day pollen forecasts with morning, afternoon and evening detail, plus 5-day air quality forecasts. Explore interactive pollen risk maps, estimated pollen season start, route profiles and a symptoms diary.
Features and forecast availability vary by region. Currently covering Europe, the contiguous US, southern Canada, South Africa, Australia, Indonesia (Java & Bali), Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and the Buenos Aires area.
Developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA) Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS).
