Mackay pollen forecast - today, tomorrow and the week ahead
Pollen Today
Today (20 September) pollen in Mackay is moderate; cypress is moderate; acacia is low.
Pollen Tomorrow
Tomorrow (21 September 2026) acacia remains low, cypress remains moderate, eucalyptus at low levels.
7-Day Trend
Over the next week acacia, cypress, and eucalyptus will increase; grass will remain stable.
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Features and forecast availability vary by region.
Pollen Risk
Today - 20 September
| Pollen species | Level | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Acacia (Acacia) | Low | 4/100 |
| Cypress (Cupressaceae) | Moderate | 39/100 |
| Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) | None | 0/100 |
| Grass (Poaceae) | None | 0/100 |
Tomorrow - 21 September
| Pollen species | Level | Value | 7-Day Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acacia (Acacia) | Low | 10/100 | |
| Cypress (Cupressaceae) | Moderate | 43/100 | |
| Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) | Low | 3/100 | |
| Grass (Poaceae) | None | 0/100 |
Local Environmental Conditions
Mackay is ringed by extensive sugar cane fields, with mangroves lining the Pioneer River mouth, remnant coastal eucalypt woodland, and paperbark wetlands surviving amid the region's dominant cane agriculture. Beyond the cane fields, hoop pine and eucalypt woodland persist on the coastal ranges inland, while extensive melaleuca and mangrove wetlands along the Pioneer River and Sandringham Bay support significant birdlife. The region's flat, fertile alluvial plains have been cleared almost entirely for sugar production over more than a century, leaving native vegetation largely confined to riparian corridors and reserves.
In this sugar cane region, pollen is present near year-round, with grass pollen peaking during the dry season (May–October) and tree pollen from eucalypt and paperbark opening late in the dry, around August–October. The wet season (November–April) brings humidity and mould instead, while cane fire smoke during the June–December crush is a locally distinctive dry-season irritant alongside pollen.
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Resource Hub
Pollen forecast neighborhoods 19 neighborhoods
Sports venues in Mackay 1 sports venue
Frequently Asked Questions About Pollen in Queensland
Is pollen high in Mackay right now?
On 20 September 2026, overall pollen levels in Mackay are moderate. Cypress is the main contributor to airborne pollen, while acacia remain at lower levels
Will pollen levels change in Mackay tomorrow?
On 21 September 2026, pollen conditions in Mackay will be different from today, with cypress at moderate levels, myrtle at low levels, acacia at low levels
Is pollen expected to decrease in Mackay this week?
According to the five-day outlook, cypress, myrtle, and acacia pollen levels will increase later in the week.
Which pollen types are currently active in Mackay?
On 20 September 2026, Cypress is the dominant pollen source in Mackay. acacia are also present but at lower levels. myrtle and grass are not currently active.
When is pollen season in Mackay?
How often is the Mackay pollen forecast updated?
The Mackay pollen forecast is updated four times daily. See the timestamp below for the most recent update.
Does pollen in Mackay 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 Mackay 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 Mackay, 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).
