Piet Retief (eMkhondo) pollen forecast - today, tomorrow and the week ahead

Today (16 July) pollen in Piet Retief (eMkhondo) is low; cypress and plane are low. Tomorrow (17 July 2026) levels are similar - cypress remains low, plane remains low, urtica at low levels. Over the following five days cypress, plane, and urtica will decrease. Forecasts are calculated by Airmine using satellites to map local vegetation and determine pollen season onset.

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Piet Retief (eMkhondo) lies roughly 170 km south of Nelspruit. Piet Retief (eMkhondo) carries the typical Highveld mix: acacia and eucalyptus lining residential streets, grassland taking over past the edge of town, and coal mining and power station operations filling out the wider landscape beyond. Pollen exposure tracks this pattern closely, higher near remaining tree cover, lower on the open grass plains. This pattern holds true across most of the surrounding Highveld plateau.

Today - 16 July

  • Alder (Alnus):

    None

    0/100

  • Birch (Betula):

    None

    0/100

  • Hazel (Corylus):

    None

    0/100

  • Cypress (Cupressaceae):

    Low

    10/100

  • Grass (Poaceae):

    None

    0/100

  • Willow (Salicaceae):

    None

    0/100

  • Mugwort (Artemisia):

    None

    0/100

  • Mulberry (Morus):

    None

    0/100

  • Plane (Platanus):

    Low

    4/100

  • 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):

    Low

    20/100

  • Grass (Poaceae):

    None

    0/100

  • Willow (Salicaceae):

    None

    0/100

  • Mugwort (Artemisia):

    None

    0/100

  • Mulberry (Morus):

    None

    0/100

  • Plane (Platanus):

    Low

    14/100

  • Urtica:

    Low

    7/100

Air quality in Piet Retief (eMkhondo)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is pollen high in Piet Retief (eMkhondo) right now?

On 16 July 2026, overall pollen levels in Piet Retief (eMkhondo) are low. Platanus is the main contributor to airborne pollen, while cypress remain at lower levels

Will pollen levels change in Piet Retief (eMkhondo) tomorrow?

On 17 July 2026, pollen conditions in Piet Retief (eMkhondo) will be different from today, with platanus at low levels, urtica at low levels, cypress at low levels

Is pollen expected to decrease in Piet Retief (eMkhondo) this week?

According to the five-day outlook, platanus, urtica, and cypress pollen levels are expected to gradually decrease, while artemisia pollen will increase, suggesting mixed conditions later in the week.

Which pollen types are currently active in Piet Retief (eMkhondo)?

On 16 July 2026, Platanus is the dominant pollen source in Piet Retief (eMkhondo). cypress are also present but at lower levels. morus, urtica, and artemisia are not currently active.

When is pollen season in Piet Retief (eMkhondo)?
August ushers in acacia and eucalyptus pollen at Piet Retief (eMkhondo), giving way to a Highveld grassland peak by October and November, framed by the area's coal mining and power station operations. Winter stays largely pollen-free until the spring rains break the dry spell. This mirrors the broader seasonal pattern seen across much of the Highveld region.
How often is the Piet Retief (eMkhondo) pollen forecast updated?

The Piet Retief (eMkhondo) pollen forecast is updated four times daily. See the timestamp below for the most recent update.

Does pollen in Piet Retief (eMkhondo) 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 Piet Retief (eMkhondo) 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 Piet Retief (eMkhondo), 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?

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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 Piet Retief (eMkhondo).

For long term forecasts and maps, see the Airmine app

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