Tarkastad pollen forecast - today, tomorrow and the week ahead

Today (9 August) pollen in Tarkastad is low; mugwort is low. Tomorrow (10 August 2026) levels are similar. Over the following five days mugwort will increase. Forecasts are calculated by Airmine using satellites to map local vegetation and determine pollen season onset.

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Tarkastad lies roughly 230 km north-northeast of Gqeberha. Tarkastad's plant life is dominated by hardy scrub and camel thorn acacia adapted to the arid Karoo climate, with a little irrigated greenery inside town itself. Surrounding sheep and ostrich farming operations contributes to a landscape where vegetation cover, and pollen, stay sparse outside the brief spring flush, consistent with the wider semi-arid Karoo landscape.

Today - 9 August

  • Alder (Alnus):

    None

    0/100

  • Birch (Betula):

    None

    0/100

  • Hazel (Corylus):

    None

    0/100

  • Cypress (Cupressaceae):

    None

    0/100

  • Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae):

    None

    0/100

  • Grass (Poaceae):

    None

    0/100

  • Oak (Quercus):

    None

    0/100

  • Willow (Salicaceae):

    None

    0/100

  • Mugwort (Artemisia):

    Low

    6/100

  • 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 - 10 August

  • Alder (Alnus):

    None

    0/100

  • Birch (Betula):

    None

    0/100

  • Hazel (Corylus):

    None

    0/100

  • Cypress (Cupressaceae):

    None

    0/100

  • Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae):

    None

    0/100

  • Grass (Poaceae):

    None

    0/100

  • Oak (Quercus):

    None

    0/100

  • Willow (Salicaceae):

    None

    0/100

  • Mugwort (Artemisia):

    Low

    5/100

  • Mulberry (Morus):

    None

    0/100

  • Plane (Platanus):

    None

    0/100

  • Urtica:

    None

    0/100

Air quality in Tarkastad

View air quality

Frequently Asked Questions

Is pollen high in Tarkastad right now?

On 9 August 2026, overall pollen levels in Tarkastad are low. Artemisia is the main contributor to airborne pollen

Will pollen levels change in Tarkastad tomorrow?

On 10 August 2026, pollen conditions in Tarkastad will be similar to today, with artemisia at low levels

Is pollen expected to decrease in Tarkastad this week?

According to the five-day outlook, artemisia, cypress, myrtle, and platanus pollen levels will increase later in the week.

Which pollen types are currently active in Tarkastad?

On 9 August 2026, Artemisia is the dominant pollen source in Tarkastad. cypress, morus, myrtle, platanus, oak, and urtica are not currently active.

When is pollen season in Tarkastad?
Camel thorn acacia opens the short Karoo pollen season at Tarkastad in August, with grass adding a further peak through September and October before the dry summer sets back in. The region's sheep and ostrich farming operations shapes much of the surrounding land beyond this brief seasonal window, a pattern typical of the wider semi-arid Karoo interior.
How often is the Tarkastad pollen forecast updated?

The Tarkastad pollen forecast is updated four times daily. See the timestamp below for the most recent update.

Does pollen in Tarkastad 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 Tarkastad 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 Tarkastad, 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?

Cape Town Durban Gqeberha Kempton Park Kimberley Nqutu Potchefstroom Randburg Standerton

Check pollen in other popular cities:

Melton Rio de Janeiro Copenhagen Athens Denpasar Rome Cape Town Barcelona London Los Angeles New York

Data provided by Airmine — Last update: 10 August 2026 at 02:34 CEST (Data is updated four times daily.)

This page provides the latest public pollen forecast for Tarkastad.

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Disclaimer: Forecasts are provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice. Actual pollen and air quality conditions may vary from the forecast. If you have allergies, asthma, or another medical condition, consult a healthcare professional. Please see our Terms of Service for important information about limitations of liability.