Grahamstown pollen forecast - today, tomorrow and the week ahead
Today (16 July) pollen in Grahamstown is medium; cypress is medium; mugwort is low. Tomorrow (17 July 2026) levels are similar. Over the following five days cypress and mugwort will increase. Forecasts are calculated by Airmine using satellites to map local vegetation and determine pollen season onset.
For long term forecasts and maps, see the Airmine app
Developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team
Use our Strava plugin to check your own exposure.
Grahamstown's Eastern Cape 1820 Settler setting features acacia, exotic garden trees, and Eastern Cape thicket as the main pollen sources, with exposure varying between the wooded Rhodes University campus and the more built-up historic downtown commercial corridors. The Bloukrans River corridor provides locally significant green space, while the Rhodes University botanical garden contributes distinctive ornamental tree pollen and the surrounding Eastern Cape bushveld extends additional pollen across the historic settler city.
Today - 16 July
-
Alder (Alnus):
None
0/100
-
Birch (Betula):
None
0/100
-
Hazel (Corylus):
None
0/100
-
Cypress (Cupressaceae):
Medium
30/100
-
Grass (Poaceae):
None
0/100
-
Willow (Salicaceae):
None
0/100
-
Mugwort (Artemisia):
Low
1/100
-
Mulberry (Morus):
None
0/100
-
Plane (Platanus):
None
0/100
-
Urtica:
None
0/100
High pollen levels may trigger sneezing, itchy eyes, and congestion. Airmine's neighbourhood estimates use satellites to map local vegetation and a statistical prediction model, updated four times daily.
Tomorrow - 17 July
-
Alder (Alnus):
None
0/100
-
Birch (Betula):
None
0/100
-
Hazel (Corylus):
None
0/100
-
Cypress (Cupressaceae):
Medium
30/100
-
Grass (Poaceae):
None
0/100
-
Willow (Salicaceae):
None
0/100
-
Mugwort (Artemisia):
Low
2/100
-
Mulberry (Morus):
None
0/100
-
Plane (Platanus):
None
0/100
-
Urtica:
None
0/100
Air quality in Grahamstown
View air qualityFrequently Asked Questions
Is pollen high in Grahamstown right now?
On 16 July 2026, overall pollen levels in Grahamstown are moderate. Cypress is the main contributor to airborne pollen, while artemisia remain at lower levels
Will pollen levels change in Grahamstown tomorrow?
On 17 July 2026, pollen conditions in Grahamstown will be similar to today, with artemisia at low levels, cypress at medium levels
Is pollen expected to decrease in Grahamstown this week?
According to the five-day outlook, artemisia and cypress pollen levels will increase later in the week.
Which pollen types are currently active in Grahamstown?
On 16 July 2026, Cypress is the dominant pollen source in Grahamstown. artemisia are also present but at lower levels. platanus, urtica, and morus are not currently active.
When is pollen season in Grahamstown?
How often is the Grahamstown pollen forecast updated?
The Grahamstown pollen forecast is updated four times daily. See the timestamp below for the most recent update.
Does pollen in Grahamstown 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 Grahamstown 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 Grahamstown, 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.
Want to see pollen forecasts for other cities in South Africa?
Check pollen in other popular cities:
Data provided by Airmine — Last update: 16 July 2026 at 10:33 CEST (Data is updated four times daily.)
This page provides the latest public pollen forecast for Grahamstown.
For long term forecasts and maps, see the Airmine app
Unless explicitly made clear, the content on this site has not been paid for by external organisations and is Airmine's sole responsibility.