Melbourne pollen forecast - today, tomorrow and the week ahead
Pollen Today
Today (16 September) pollen in Melbourne is moderate; cypress and eucalyptus are moderate; acacia is low.
Pollen Tomorrow
Tomorrow (17 September 2026) cypress remains moderate, acacia increasing, eucalyptus increasing.
7-Day Trend
Over the next week acacia, cypress, and eucalyptus will decrease; grass will remain stable.
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Features and forecast availability vary by region.
Pollen Risk
Today - 16 September
| Pollen species | Level | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Acacia (Acacia) | Low | 17/100 |
| Cypress (Cupressaceae) | Moderate | 29/100 |
| Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) | Moderate | 37/100 |
| Grass (Poaceae) | None | 0/100 |
Tomorrow - 17 September
| Pollen species | Level | Value | 7-Day Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acacia (Acacia) | Moderate | 35/100 | |
| Cypress (Cupressaceae) | Moderate | 47/100 | |
| Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) | High | 55/100 | |
| Grass (Poaceae) | None | 0/100 |
Local Environmental Conditions
Melbourne's parks and gardens, from the Royal Botanic Gardens to the tree-lined boulevards of the inner city, mix native eucalypts and wattle with introduced deciduous species like plane, oak and elm planted throughout the Victorian era. The surrounding volcanic plains support grazing and grassland, while Port Phillip Bay's foreshore reserves carry coastal vegetation. This dense combination of native and exotic species across a large metropolitan area gives Melbourne one of the most pollen-diverse profiles in the country.
Melbourne's pollen season is the textbook case for southeastern Australia, and the city is internationally known for the November 2016 thunderstorm asthma event, the largest such episode ever recorded, which sent thousands to hospital in a single evening. Wattle and eucalypt pollen build from August, with introduced plane, oak and elm adding to the city's tree count. Ryegrass pollen then dominates October through December, and the same warm-northerly-then-cool-change pattern that triggered 2016's event remains an active spring risk every year.
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Resource Hub
Pollen forecast neighborhoods 94 neighborhoods
Sports venues in Melbourne 28 sports venues
Local parkruns 3 parkruns
Local events 12 events
Frequently Asked Questions About Pollen in Victoria
Is pollen high in Melbourne right now?
On 16 September 2026, overall pollen levels in Melbourne are moderate. Myrtle is the main contributor to airborne pollen, while cypress and acacia remain at lower levels
Will pollen levels change in Melbourne tomorrow?
On 17 September 2026, pollen conditions in Melbourne will be different from today, with cypress at moderate levels and myrtle, acacia increasing
Is pollen expected to decrease in Melbourne this week?
According to the five-day outlook, myrtle, acacia, and cypress pollen levels are expected to gradually decrease, suggesting improving conditions later in the week.
Which pollen types are currently active in Melbourne?
On 16 September 2026, Myrtle is the dominant pollen source in Melbourne. cypress and acacia are also present but at lower levels. grass are not currently active.
When is pollen season in Melbourne?
How often is the Melbourne pollen forecast updated?
The Melbourne pollen forecast is updated four times daily. See the timestamp below for the most recent update.
Does pollen in Melbourne 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 Melbourne 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 Melbourne, 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).
