Saanich pollen forecast - today, tomorrow and the week ahead
Pollen Today
Today (20 September) pollen in Saanich is high; ragweed is high; grass and mugwort are low.
Pollen Tomorrow
Tomorrow (21 September 2026) levels are similar to today.
7-Day Trend
Over the next week grass, mugwort, and ragweed will decrease.
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Local pollen and air quality forecasts, interactive pollen maps and route profiles
Features and forecast availability vary by region.
Pollen Risk
Today - 20 September
| Pollen species | Level | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Alder (Alnus) | None | 0/100 |
| Birch (Betula) | None | 0/100 |
| Hazel (Corylus) | None | 0/100 |
| Cypress (Cupressaceae) | None | 0/100 |
| Grass (Poaceae) | Low | 19/100 |
| Willow (Salicaceae) | None | 0/100 |
| Mugwort (Artemisia) | Low | 8/100 |
| Ragweed (Ambrosia) | High | 55/100 |
Tomorrow - 21 September
| Pollen species | Level | Value | 7-Day Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alder (Alnus) | None | 0/100 | — |
| Birch (Betula) | None | 0/100 | — |
| Hazel (Corylus) | None | 0/100 | — |
| Cypress (Cupressaceae) | None | 0/100 | — |
| Grass (Poaceae) | Low | 18/100 | |
| Willow (Salicaceae) | None | 0/100 | — |
| Mugwort (Artemisia) | Low | 9/100 | |
| Ragweed (Ambrosia) | High | 55/100 |
Local Environmental Conditions
Saanich's Garry oak ecosystems and Mount Douglas forest feature arbutus and oak as dominant pollen sources, with Blenkinsop Valley farmland contrasting the university-adjacent residential neighbourhoods surrounding the Saanich Peninsula.
Bordering the Strait of Juan de Fuca on Vancouver Island's southern tip, Saanich experiences a mild, moisture-softened pollen season, with alder and birch driving an early tree bloom, while the peninsula's farmland and coastal humidity sustain a longer grass season than in Canada's colder, drier regions.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pollen in British Columbia
Is pollen high in Saanich right now?
On 20 September 2026, overall pollen levels in Saanich are high. Ambrosia is the main contributor to airborne pollen, while artemisia and grass remain at lower levels
Will pollen levels change in Saanich tomorrow?
On 21 September 2026, pollen conditions in Saanich will be similar to today, with ambrosia at high levels, artemisia at low levels, grass at low levels
Is pollen expected to decrease in Saanich this week?
According to the five-day outlook, ambrosia, artemisia, and grass pollen levels are expected to gradually decrease, suggesting improving conditions later in the week.
Which pollen types are currently active in Saanich?
On 20 September 2026, Ambrosia is the dominant pollen source in Saanich. artemisia and grass are also present but at lower levels.
When is pollen season in Saanich?
How often is the Saanich pollen forecast updated?
The Saanich pollen forecast is updated four times daily. See the timestamp below for the most recent update.
Does pollen in Saanich 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 Saanich 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 Saanich, 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).
