Thaba Nchu pollen forecast - today, tomorrow and the week ahead

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

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Thaba Nchu's Free State Highveld setting features acacia thornveld, Highveld grasses, and isolated indigenous trees as the main pollen sources, with exposure varying between the grassland-covered hillsides of the Thaba Nchu mountain and the more built-up central town areas. The mountain itself creates distinct elevation-based pollen gradients, while the surrounding Highveld farmland contributes substantial grass and crop pollen throughout the summer rainfall season.

Today - 16 July

  • Alder (Alnus):

    None

    0/100

  • Birch (Betula):

    None

    0/100

  • Hazel (Corylus):

    None

    0/100

  • Cypress (Cupressaceae):

    Low

    2/100

  • Grass (Poaceae):

    None

    0/100

  • Willow (Salicaceae):

    None

    0/100

  • Mugwort (Artemisia):

    Low

    13/100

  • Mulberry (Morus):

    None

    0/100

  • Plane (Platanus):

    Low

    3/100

  • 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

    4/100

  • Grass (Poaceae):

    None

    0/100

  • Willow (Salicaceae):

    None

    0/100

  • Mugwort (Artemisia):

    Low

    15/100

  • Mulberry (Morus):

    None

    0/100

  • Plane (Platanus):

    Low

    4/100

  • Urtica:

    None

    0/100

Air quality in Thaba Nchu

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is pollen high in Thaba Nchu right now?

On 16 July 2026, overall pollen levels in Thaba Nchu are low. Platanus is the main contributor to airborne pollen, while artemisia and cypress remain at lower levels

Will pollen levels change in Thaba Nchu tomorrow?

On 17 July 2026, pollen conditions in Thaba Nchu will be similar to today, with platanus at low levels, artemisia at low levels, cypress at low levels

Is pollen expected to decrease in Thaba Nchu this week?

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

Which pollen types are currently active in Thaba Nchu?

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

When is pollen season in Thaba Nchu?
Thaba Nchu's Free State Highveld season is strongly driven by the summer rainfall pattern, with acacia contributing from August before grass from surrounding Highveld farmland peaks intensely through November and December. The Thaba Nchu Mountain creates elevation-based pollen gradients between the upland and valley areas, while the dry winter months suppress most pollen production across this Free State agricultural town.
How often is the Thaba Nchu pollen forecast updated?

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

Does pollen in Thaba Nchu 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 Thaba Nchu 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 Thaba Nchu, 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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Check pollen in other popular cities:

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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 Thaba Nchu.

For long term forecasts and maps, see the Airmine app

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