Ames, Iowa pollen forecast - today, tomorrow and the week ahead
Pollen Today
Today (20 September) pollen in Ames, Iowa is moderate; ragweed is moderate.
Pollen Tomorrow
Tomorrow (21 September 2026) levels are similar to today.
7-Day Trend
Over the next week grass, mugwort, and ragweed will increase.
Explore Forecasts
Air Quality
Pollen in Other Cities
Air Quality in Other Cities
Get More in Our App
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) | None | 0/100 |
| Willow (Salicaceae) | None | 0/100 |
| Mugwort (Artemisia) | None | 0/100 |
| Ragweed (Ambrosia) | Moderate | 29/100 |
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) | None | 0/100 | |
| Willow (Salicaceae) | None | 0/100 | — |
| Mugwort (Artemisia) | None | 0/100 | |
| Ragweed (Ambrosia) | Moderate | 32/100 |
Local Environmental Conditions
Ames's Skunk River Iowa setting features oak, maple, and cottonwood as the main tree pollen sources, with exposure varying between the wooded Skunk River and Squaw Creek corridors and the more built-up commercial areas along Lincoln Way. The Skunk River corridor and the Iowa State University campus arboretum are particularly significant local sources, while the surrounding Iowa cornbelt farmland contributes exceptional grass and crop pollen during summer.
Ames's central Iowa setting produces a season opening in late February with elm and maple before oak peaks through April. Grass from surrounding Iowa cornbelt farmland peaks through June and July before mugwort and nettle extend exposure into September. The Skunk River corridor channels airflows, while the continental Midwest climate produces a well-defined seasonal progression and grass is particularly significant from surrounding agricultural land.
Get pollen & AQ on Strava
Follow your environmental exposure and performance with the free Airmine-Strava integration. See your pollen and air quality exposure for every Strava activity.
Resource Hub
Frequently Asked Questions About Pollen in Iowa
Is pollen high in Ames, Iowa right now?
On 20 September 2026, overall pollen levels in Ames, Iowa are moderate. Ambrosia is the main contributor to airborne pollen
Will pollen levels change in Ames, Iowa tomorrow?
On 21 September 2026, pollen conditions in Ames, Iowa will be similar to today, with ambrosia at moderate levels
Is pollen expected to decrease in Ames, Iowa this week?
According to the five-day outlook, grass, ambrosia, and artemisia pollen levels will increase later in the week.
Which pollen types are currently active in Ames, Iowa?
On 20 September 2026, Ambrosia is the dominant pollen source in Ames, Iowa. grass and artemisia are not currently active.
When is pollen season in Ames, Iowa?
How often is the Ames, Iowa pollen forecast updated?
The Ames, Iowa pollen forecast is updated four times daily. See the timestamp below for the most recent update.
Does pollen in Ames, Iowa 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 Ames, Iowa 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 Ames, Iowa, 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).
